* WHAT. Southeast to South winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 to 40 kt and seas 7 to 11 ft expected. * WHERE. Southeast North Carolina and Northeast South Carolina coastal waters. * WHEN. From noon Thursday to noon EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

HLSILM This product covers southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina **HELENE BECOMES A HURRICANE** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Coastal Georgetown and Coastal Horry * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Coastal Georgetown and Coastal Horry * STORM INFORMATION: - About 1010 miles south-southwest of Wilmington NC or about 950 miles south-southwest of Myrtle Beach SC - 21.6N 86.3W - Storm Intensity 80 mph - Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 10 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Due to its large physical size Helene will bring some peripheral effects to the area. Very outer tropical bands will be capable of producing moderate rainfall and breezy conditions. There will also be a small but non-zero tornado threat. Hazardous marine conditions will develop with large waves and tropical storm forced wind gusts. The main timing window of these impacts will be late Thursday into early Friday. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * TORNADOES: Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across Southeast North Carolina and Northeast South Carolina. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder preparedness actions during tropical events. - Tornadoes can rip roofs from homes, destroy mobile homes, cause trees to become snapped or uprooted, flip cars and boats. Dangerous projectiles can add to the damage. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across Southeast North Carolina and Northeast South Carolina. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across Southeast North Carolina and Northeast South Carolina. Potential impacts include: - Moderate flooding from rainfall may prompt some evacuations and rescues especially in Northeast South Carolina. - Driving conditions will become hazardous, and some road closures can be expected. Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across Northeast South Carolina and Southeast North Carolina. * WIND: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties which must be taken into account. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of others. When securing your property, outside preparations should be conducted as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds and heavy rain can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe. Visitors to the area should become familiar with nearby surroundings. If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors. Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Wilmington NC around 5 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

HLSCHS This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia **MULTIPLE IMPACTS ANTICIPATED WITH THE PASSAGE OF HELENE THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Beaufort, Bulloch, Candler, Charleston, Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Coastal Liberty, Coastal McIntosh, Effingham, Evans, Inland Berkeley, Inland Bryan, Inland Chatham, Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty, Inland McIntosh, Long, Tattnall, and Tidal Berkeley * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Beaufort, Bulloch, Candler, Charleston, Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Coastal Liberty, Coastal McIntosh, Effingham, Evans, Inland Berkeley, Inland Bryan, Inland Chatham, Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty, Inland McIntosh, Long, Tattnall, and Tidal Berkeley - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Allendale, Dorchester, Hampton, Inland Colleton, Jenkins, and Screven * STORM INFORMATION: - About 860 miles south-southwest of Charleston SC or about 790 miles south-southwest of Savannah GA - 21.6N 86.3W - Storm Intensity 80 mph - Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 10 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Helene is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane as it moves northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico by Thursday. The storm is forecast to make landfall around the Big Bend area of Florida Thursday evening, tracking northward across Georgia Thursday night into early Friday. Helene is forecast to become a very large storm, with impacts expected to extend well east of the center of the storm. There is an elevated risk for tornadoes associated with Helene. The risk for tornadoes will increase during the day Thursday and peaking Thursday night into early Friday morning. Tropical storm force winds are forecast to increase across Southeast Georgia and the adjacent Atlantic Georgia waters Thursday evening, then spreading into Southeast South Carolina and the adjacent coastal waters Thursday night. Winds speeds are expected to peak late Thursday night as the center of Helene moves across central Georgia. In addition, rain bands are expected to rapidly lift north across Southeast Georgia and the South Carolina Lowcountry Thursday night. These rain bands should produce periods of gusty winds and possibly spawning some tornadoes. Rainfall amounts across Southeast Georgia are forecast to range between 3 to 5 inches and 1.5 to 4 inches across Southeast South Carolina. Isolated higher amounts are possible, especially west of the Interstate 95 corridor. Rainfall rates will increase through Thursday, with the heaviest rain band sweeping across the region Thursday night into early Friday morning. In addition to high surf, strong and dangerous rip currents and beach erosion, storm surge inundation of 1 to 3 ft is possible along the coast of Southeast Georgia and the South Carolina Lowcountry. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * TORNADOES: Protect against a particularly dangerous tornado event having possible extensive impacts across Southeast South Carolina and Southeast Georgia. Potential impacts include: - Numerous tornadoes can greatly hinder the execution of emergency plans. - Tornadoes could produce pockets of extensive destruction, power loss, and communications failures. In some locations, tornado winds and deadly projectiles demolish sturdy buildings, sweep away structures upon weak foundations, obliterate mobile homes, snap off and uproot large trees, lift vehicles off the ground and throw with distance, and destroy small boats destroyed. * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia. Potential impacts include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. - Some roads impassable due to debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded locations. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways, especially for high profile vehicles. - Isolated to scattered power and communications outages. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding could prompt some rescues. - Rivers and tributaries could quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in normally vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places could experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. * SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across south coastal South Carolina and coastal Georgia. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation of saltwater mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots farther inland near rivers and creeks. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions hazardous in places where surge water covers the road. - Minor to moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf possibly breaching dunes, mainly in normally vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS: In addition to coastal inundation, high surf, strong and dangerous rip currents and beach erosion can be expected. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Charleston SC around 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

* WHAT. Southwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and seas 6 to 11 ft. * WHERE. Northeast South Carolina coastal waters. * WHEN. Tropical Storm force winds possible Thursday night into Friday morning. * IMPACTS. Tropical storm force winds and hazardous seas could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

* WHAT. Southeast to South winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 to 40 kt and seas 7 to 11 ft expected. * WHERE. Southeast North Carolina and Northeast South Carolina coastal waters. * WHEN. From noon Thursday to noon EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Goose Creek - Moncks Corner - Saint Stephen * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Tropical storm force winds remain possible - Peak Wind Forecast: 15-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Wind less than 39 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: The sustained wind should remain less than tropical storm force. Conditions may still be gusty. - PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to guard against tropical winds at this time. - ACT: Ensure emergency readiness should the forecast change. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None - Little to no potential impacts from wind. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Peak Rainfall Amounts: 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain - The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible. - PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Moderate rainfall flooding could prompt some rescues. - Rivers and tributaries could quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in normally vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places could experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is favorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for several tornadoes - The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for several tornadoes with a few possibly intense having larger damage paths. - PREPARE: Those living in manufactured homes or on boats should prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives. - ACT: Listen for tornado watches and warnings. If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Isolated to scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans. - Scattered locations could experience enhanced damage due to tornadoes with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Scattered locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - https://weather.gov/chs - https://ready.gov/hurricanes

The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in North Carolina. Lumber River Near Lumberton affecting Robeson County. . The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in South Carolina. North Carolina. Waccamaw River near Longs affecting Columbus, Horry and Brunswick Counties. Waccamaw River near Freeland affecting Columbus and Brunswick Counties. * WHAT. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Waccamaw River near Freeland. * WHEN. Until early Friday morning. * IMPACTS. At 15.0 feet, Water will spread out of its banks and into swamps along the river and some yards near the river may begin to flood. This includes areas along Rivergate Drive, the end of Reaves Ferry Road near Nakina, the end of Mosquito Rd NW, Kingtown Road, and Crusoe Island Road. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 7:30 PM EDT Tuesday the stage was 15.3 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to fall below flood stage Thursday and continue falling to 14.2 feet Sunday evening. - Flood stage is 15.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in North Carolina. South Carolina. Lumber River Near Lumberton affecting Robeson County. Waccamaw River near Longs affecting Columbus, Horry and Brunswick Counties. Waccamaw River near Freeland affecting Columbus and Brunswick Counties. * WHAT. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Waccamaw River near Longs. * WHEN. Until early Sunday morning. * IMPACTS. At 12.0 feet, Flooding may limit vehicle access near the river at the end of Big Gutter Lane and Doodle Hill Lane. Low spots on Red Bluff Road will begin to flood. The end of Vera Road will flood. Several boat landings will become inaccessible. Parts of Aberdeen County Club will be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 9:00 AM EDT Wednesday the stage was 12.3 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to fall below flood stage Saturday morning and continue falling to 11.4 feet Monday morning. - Flood stage is 12.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood