Full Notification

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Surfside Beach - Myrtle Beach - North Myrtle Beach

* WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Cat 1 Hurricane force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 55-75 mph with gusts to 85 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: early Thursday morning until early Friday morning - POTENTIAL THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Potential for wind greater than 110 mph - The wind threat has increased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for extreme wind of equivalent CAT 3 hurricane force or higher due to possible forecast changes in track, size, or intensity. - PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be urgently completed. Prepare for catastrophic wind damage. - ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Devastating to Catastrophic - Structural damage can be expected to sturdy buildings, with some suffering severe or total destruction. Complete destruction of mobile homes and other poorly constructed buildings is likely. Damage greatly enhanced by large projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for a significant period of time. - Numerous large trees may be snapped or uprooted, along with fences and roadway signs gone. - Many roads will become unsafe and impassable from large debris. Many bridges, causeways, and other elevated roadways will become impassable. - Extensive power and communications outages can be expected. - Many vessels will break free from their moorings.

* STORM SURGE - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Life-threatening storm surge possible - Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 4-7 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas - Window of concern: through early Saturday evening - POTENTIAL THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Potential for storm surge flooding greater than 6 feet above ground - The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for life-threatening storm surge flooding of greater than 6 feet above ground. - PREPARE: Evacuation efforts should soon be brought to completion before driving conditions become unsafe. - ACT: Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for your area to avoid being cut off from emergency services or needlessly risk lives. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding enhanced by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings is likely, with several potentially washing away. Damage will be compounded by floating debris. Some locations may become uninhabitable for an extended period. - Inundation is likely to impact vulnerable homes along tidal creeks and waterways farther inland. - Drinking water and sewer services will likely become impacted by the storm surge. Surge waters will contain hazardous materials. - Large sections of coastal roads will become flooded, or wash-out altogether. - Severe beach erosion is expected with significant dune loss. Sands from displaced dunes will likely deposit onto the barrier island roads. - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers is possible. Many small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded inland. - Navigation may be difficult, especially near inlets and waterways, as some navigational aids may be off station or missing. Debris is possible in the waterways and other navigable channels.

* FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Peak Rainfall Amounts: 6-10 inches, with locally higher amounts - POTENTIAL THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: 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 flooding from rainfall may prompt some evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and streams may rise and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in the typical prone locations. Small creeks and ditches may overflow. - Flood waters may enter some structures. Underpasses, low-lying spots along roadways, and poor drainage areas may become submerged by rising water. Some secondary streets and parking lots may flood as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. - Driving conditions will become hazardous, and some road closures can be expected.

* TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes - POTENTIAL THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Potential for a few tornadoes - The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - 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. - Tornadoes can cause damage to trees, vehicles, boats, and buildings. Unsecured mobile homes and poorly constructed structures are particularly vulnerable.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION: - http://www.weather.gov/ilm/Tropics - http://ready.gov/hurricanes

* AFFECTED AREAS: COASTAL HORRY