Hermine Update:090216 | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Good Morning Everyone:

    Hurricane Hermine is now Tropical Storm Hermine and I have attached the latest update from NWS for our area and we are in a Tropical Storm Warning and Flash Flood Watch area. I am going to attempt to interpret a couple of the slides in the presentation for you.

    Wind gust up to 55 mph and sustained winds near 35mph and 40 mph between the hours of 8:00pm today until around 2:00am Saturday morning. Winds will remain after 2:00am but they will taper off below tropical storm force as the morning progresses.

    Storm Surge is interesting the highest statistical probability of reaching the three foot storm surge area is the immediate Washington area and Belhaven. However that said we should expect two feet everywhere else on both rivers as a likely event. NWS does not project wave action, however, after hearing one TV station this morning talking about two to four foot waves on the Pamlico Sound and the Pamlico River I did talk to NWS about this issue. It is possible that areas like Pamlico Beach, Indian Island and Belhaven could experience three foot waves arriving with the highest of the winds. The areas of the river further west could see waves of one to two feet depending partially on the width of the River at your location. Remember wave action is on top of the Storm Surge and only impacts docks and on average about 100 feet inland depending on ground elevation and the storm surge.

    We still are expecting heavy downpours and street flooding and low area flooding. After conversations with NCDOT there ae insufficient High Water signs to cover all the possible high water areas in Beaufort County. Therefore, Fire units may need to be prepared to set some cones out in some of the less traveled areas should flooding occur. We will attempt to coordinate those specific sites with NCDOT should the need arise.

    Please stay weather aware and remember the "Five P's" today as the leading edge of rainfall from TS Hermine has arrived in our area. "Turn Around Don't Drown"

    John Pack

    Coordinator, Beaufort County Emergency Services

     1420 Highland Drive
     Washington, NC 27889
     (252)946-2046 Office   •   (252) 975-6802 Fax   •   john.pack@co.beaufort.nc.us


Hermine Impacts: September 2-3, 2016