Advarsler Buncombe County Detention Facility, North Carolina

Warning

25.9 3.35 PM 15.35 – 25.9 11.45 PM 23.45

Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 25 at 11:35AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC HLSGSP This product covers the western Carolinas and NE Georgia ...HELENE TO BRING SIGNIFICANT FLASH FLOODING AND STRONG WIND GUSTS TO THE WESTERN CAROLINAS AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA... NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Abbeville, Anderson, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Central Greenville, Cherokee, Cleveland, Eastern McDowell, Eastern Polk, Elbert, Franklin, Graham, Greater Burke, Greater Caldwell, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens, Greater Rutherford, Greenville Mountains, Greenwood, Habersham, Hart, Haywood, Henderson, Laurens, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Northern Spartanburg, Oconee Mountains, Pickens Mountains, Polk Mountains, Rabun, Rutherford Mountains, Southern Greenville, Southern Jackson, Southern Spartanburg, Stephens, Swain, Transylvania, Union SC, and Yancey * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Abbeville, Anderson, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Central Greenville, Cherokee, Cleveland, Eastern McDowell, Eastern Polk, Elbert, Franklin, Graham, Greater Burke, Greater Caldwell, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens, Greater Rutherford, Greenville Mountains, Greenwood, Habersham, Hart, Haywood, Henderson, Laurens, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Northern Spartanburg, Oconee Mountains, Pickens Mountains, Polk Mountains, Rabun, Rutherford Mountains, Southern Greenville, Southern Jackson, Southern Spartanburg, Stephens, Swain, Transylvania, Union SC, and Yancey * STORM INFORMATION: - About 950 miles south-southwest of Greenville/Spartanburg SC or about 990 miles south-southwest of Asheville NC - 21.6N 86.3W - Storm Intensity 80 mph - Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 10 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Helene is expected to make landfall over the Florida Panhandle Thursday evening and race north into Georgia and the western Carolinas. Significant flash flooding and mainstem flooding is likely Thursday into early Friday, especially along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. 40-50 MPH wind gusts will be associated with Helene as the storm tracks just west of the County Warning Area Thursday night into Friday morning. The combination of saturated soils and strong wind gusts will result in numerous trees down, leading to numerous power outages. Numerous landslides may occur across the mountains, with a couple of large, damaging debris flows/slope failures. An isolated tornado or two can't be ruled out during this event as well. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible devastating impacts across the North Carolina mountains, northeast Georgia, and Upstate South Carolina. Potential impacts include: - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having significant impacts across the North Carolina mountains, northeast Georgia, and Upstate South Carolina. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. * 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 Greenville-Spartanburg SC around 5 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

National Weather Service

Flood

25.9 3.17 PM 15.17 – 27.9 6.00 PM 18.00

Flood Watch issued September 25 at 11:17AM EDT until September 27 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of northeast Georgia, including the following area, Rabun, western North Carolina, including the following areas, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Polk Mountains, Rutherford Mountains, Southern Jackson, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey, and upstate South Carolina, including the following areas, Greenville Mountains, Oconee Mountains and Pickens Mountains. * WHEN...Through Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in significant and damaging flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Areas that are not typically impacted by floodwaters may flood. Numerous landslides are possible in areas of steep terrain. A couple of large, damaging landslides or slope failures are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall are expected due to the interaction of tropical moisture along a stationary front, followed by the passage of Tropical Storm Helene. Storm-total rainfall of 9-14 inches with locally higher amounts is expected along the entire length of the Blue Ridge Escarpment with widespread 5-9 inches expected across the remainder of the mountains. This has the potential to be an extremely rare event with significant and damaging flash-flooding along numerous streams. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood A Flood Watch for flash flooding means there is a potential for rapid onset flooding based on current forecasts. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation and may impact areas that do not typically flood. Please monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action quickly should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. Rainfall of more than five inches in similar storms has been associated with an increased risk of landslides and rockslides. If you live on a mountainside or in a cove at the base of a mountain, especially near a stream, be ready to leave in advance of the storm or as quickly as possible should rising water, moving earth, or rocks threaten. Consider postponing travel along mountain roads during periods of heavy rainfall. Low-lying areas adjacent to streams, including campgrounds, are especially vulnerable to flooding. If you live or are vacationing next to a stream, please have a plan in place to seek higher ground once heavy rainfall develops. Flash floods can occur quickly and overwhelm adjacent low-lying areas with little warning. Once the stream starts to rise, you may only have minutes to evacuate. Flash floods can cause catastrophic damage and be powerful enough to sweep away campers, vehicles, and mobile homes. Consider temporarily relocating away from streams until the heavy rainfall threat passes.

National Weather Service

Wind

25.9 3.27 PM 15.27 – 25.9 11.30 PM 23.30

Tropical Storm Watch issued September 25 at 11:27AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Asheville - Weaverville * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 20-30 mph with gusts to 55 mph - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Wind less than 39 mph - 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: Flood Watch is in effect - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 8-12 inches, with locally higher amounts - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for extreme flooding rain - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for extreme flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely. - PREPARE: Urgently consider protective actions from extreme and widespread rainfall flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Devastating to Catastrophic - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few tornadoes - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a few tornadoes. - PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives. - ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - https://readync.org

National Weather Service