345  
WTUS81 KAKQ 221532  
HLSAKQ  
MDZ021>025-NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ075>078-084>086-089-090-092-093-095>100-523>525-222345-  
 
POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE SIXTEEN LOCAL STATEMENT ADVISORY NUMBER 5  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA AL162023  
1132 AM EDT FRI SEP 22 2023  
 
THIS PRODUCT COVERS CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...NORTHEAST NORTH  
CAROLINA...AND THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE  
 
**STORM SURGE WARNINGS ISSUED FOR ADDITIONAL PORTIONS OF THE TIDAL  
POTOMAC, CHESAPEAKE BAY, AND ALBEMARLE SOUND**  
 
NEW INFORMATION  
---------------  
 
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- THE STORM SURGE WATCH HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO A STORM SURGE  
WARNING FOR BERTIE, CHOWAN, NORTHUMBERLAND, AND WESTMORELAND  
- A STORM SURGE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR CHESAPEAKE  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR NORTHAMPTON AND  
SOUTHAMPTON  
 
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- A STORM SURGE WARNING AND TROPICAL STORM WARNING ARE IN EFFECT  
FOR ACCOMACK, BERTIE, CAMDEN, CHESAPEAKE, CHOWAN, EASTERN  
CURRITUCK, GLOUCESTER, HAMPTON/POQUOSON, ISLE OF WIGHT, JAMES  
CITY, LANCASTER, MATHEWS, MIDDLESEX, NEWPORT NEWS,  
NORFOLK/PORTSMOUTH, NORTHAMPTON, NORTHUMBERLAND, PASQUOTANK,  
PERQUIMANS, SUFFOLK, SURRY, VIRGINIA BEACH, WESTERN CURRITUCK,  
WESTMORELAND, AND YORK  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR DORCHESTER, GATES,  
HERTFORD, INLAND WORCESTER, MARYLAND BEACHES, NORTHAMPTON,  
RICHMOND, SOMERSET, SOUTHAMPTON, AND WICOMICO  
 
* STORM INFORMATION:  
- ABOUT 420 MILES SOUTH OF OCEAN CITY MD OR ABOUT 320 MILES SOUTH  
OF NORFOLK VA  
- 32.3N 75.6W  
- STORM INTENSITY 50 MPH  
- MOVEMENT NORTH OR 350 DEGREES AT 12 MPH  
 
SITUATION OVERVIEW  
------------------  
 
POTENTIAL CYCLONE SIXTEEN CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN OFF THE SOUTHEAST  
COAST THIS MORNING, AND WILL MOVE NORTHWARD TOWARD THE MID-ATLANTIC  
REGION THROUGH SATURDAY, POSSIBLY BRIEFLY BECOMING A TROPICAL STORM  
BEFORE MAKING LANDFALL ACROSS THE COASTAL CAROLINAS EARLY SATURDAY.  
 
REGARDLESS OF THE EXACT TRACK, THE STORM IS EXPECTED TO BRING A MYRIAD  
OF HAZARDS TO OUR AREA. THESE IMPACTS INCLUDE:  
 
* DANGEROUS MARINE AND HIGH SURF - DANGEROUS MARINE CONDITIONS ARE  
EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY DUE TO THE STRONG WINDS AND HIGH  
SEAS. SEAS BUILD TO 11 TO 16 FEET LATE TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY AND  
REMAIN ELEVATED INTO SUNDAY. LARGE NEARSHORE BREAKING WAVES OF 6 TO  
10 FT WILL RESULT IN BEACH EROSION, DANGEROUS SURF CONDITIONS, AND A  
HIGH RISK FOR RIP CURRENTS.  
 
* HEAVY RAIN - HEAVY DOWNPOURS COULD CAUSE LOCALIZED MINOR FLOODING OF  
ROADS AND LOW-LYING AREAS, ESPECIALLY ACROSS NORTHEAST NORTH  
CAROLINA, EASTERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA, AND THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE  
OF MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.  
 
* WINDS - TROPICAL STORM FORCE WIND IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE THIS EVENING  
INTO EARLY SATURDAY AND COULD LEAD TO DOWNED TREES AND SCATTERED  
POWER OUTAGES.  
 
* COASTAL FLOODING - AREAS OF MODERATE TO MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING ARE  
POSSIBLE DURING HIGH TIDE LATE TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY.  
 
POTENTIAL IMPACTS  
-----------------  
 
* WIND:  
PREPARE FOR DANGEROUS WIND HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ACROSS EASTERN  
VIRGINIA...NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...AND THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN  
SHORE. POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN THIS AREA INCLUDE:  
- SOME DAMAGE TO ROOFING AND SIDING, ALONG WITH DAMAGE TO  
PORCHES, AWNINGS, CARPORTS, AND SHEDS. SOME BUILDINGS  
EXPERIENCE WINDOW, DOOR, AND GARAGE DOOR FAILURES. MOBILE HOMES  
DAMAGED, SOME DESTROYED, ESPECIALLY IF POORLY ANCHORED OR  
EXPOSED TO WIND. UNSECURED LIGHTWEIGHT OBJECTS BECOME DANGEROUS  
PROJECTILES.  
- LARGE TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE  
SOILS ARE SATURATED. SOME ROADWAY SIGNS WILL BE BLOWN OVER.  
- SOME ROADS WILL BE IMPASSABLE FROM LARGE DEBRIS INCLUDING  
BRIDGES, CAUSEWAYS, AND ACCESS ROUTES.  
- SCATTERED TO WIDESPREAD POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS OUTAGES.  
 
ALSO, PREPARE FOR HAZARDOUS WIND HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED IMPACTS  
ACROSS CENTRAL VIRGINIA.  
 
* SURGE:  
PREPARE FOR LIFE-THREATENING SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS  
ACROSS EASTERN VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA. POTENTIAL  
IMPACTS IN THIS AREA INCLUDE:  
- SEVERE STORM SURGE FLOODING WILL LIKELY CAUSE INUNDATION OF  
NUMEROUS ROADS AND BUILDINGS, RESULTING IN A THREAT TO LIFE AND  
PROPERTY. FLOODING WILL LIKELY EXTEND INLAND FROM THE  
WATERFRONT AND SHORELINE FLOODING HOMES, BUSINESSES AND  
ISOLATING SOME NEIGHBORHOODS. LARGE BREAKING WAVES WILL RESULT  
IN ADDITIONAL DAMAGE NEAR THE SHORELINE.  
- NUMEROUS ROADS FLOODED OR WASHED OUT.  
- MAJOR BEACH EROSION WITH HEAVY SURF BREACHING SOME DUNES.  
- SEVERE DAMAGE TO MARINAS, DOCKS, BOARDWALKS, AND PIERS IS  
EXPECTED. SMALL CRAFT BROKEN AWAY FROM MOORINGS, ESPECIALLY IN  
UNPROTECTED MARINAS AND DOCKS.  
 
ALSO, PREPARE FOR LOCALLY HAZARDOUS SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED  
IMPACTS ACROSS THE MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE.  
 
* FLOODING RAIN:  
PREPARE FOR DANGEROUS RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT  
IMPACTS ACROSS CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...NORTHEAST NORTH  
CAROLINA...AND THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE. POTENTIAL IMPACTS  
INCLUDE:  
- FLOODING FROM HEAVY RAINFALL MAY PROMPT EVACUATIONS AND RESCUES  
- RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES MAY QUICKLY BECOME SWOLLEN, WITH SWIFT  
CURRENTS, AND OVERSPILL THEIR BANKS. SMALL STREAMS, CREEKS, AND  
DITCHES OVERFLOW.  
- FLOOD WATERS CAN ENTER SOME STRUCTURES AND/OR WEAKEN  
FOUNDATIONS. SOME AREAS MAY EXPERIENCE 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 ARE EXPECTED.  
 
* TORNADOES:  
PREPARE FOR A DANGEROUS TORNADO EVENT HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT  
IMPACTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA.  
POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:  
- SOME TORNADOES ARE EXPECTED, SOME OF WHICH COULD BE INTENSE. AS  
A RESULT, EXECUTION OF EMERGENCY PLANS COULD BE HINDERED IN  
AFFECTED AREAS.  
- SEVERAL PLACES MAY EXPERIENCE TORNADO DAMAGE, WITH A FEW AREAS  
OF CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE, POWER LOSS, AND COMMUNICATIONS FAILURES.  
- LOCATIONS COULD REALIZE ROOFS TORN OFF FRAME HOUSES, MOBILE HOMES  
DEMOLISHED, LARGE TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED, VEHICLES TUMBLED,  
AND SMALL BOATS TOSSED ABOUT.  
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS  
----------------------------------  
 
* EVACUATIONS:  
LISTEN TO LOCAL OFFICIAL FOR RECOMMENDED PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS,  
INCLUDING POSSIBLE EVACUATION. IF ORDERED TO EVACUATE, DO SO  
IMMEDIATELY.  
 
IF EVACUATING, LEAVE WITH A DESTINATION IN MIND AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME  
TO GET THERE. TAKE YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT. GAS UP YOUR VEHICLE  
AHEAD OF TIME.  
 
* 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.  
 
WHEN SECURING YOUR PROPERTY, OUTSIDE PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE CONCLUDED  
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE CONDITIONS DETERIORATE. THE ONSET OF  
STRONG GUSTY WINDS OR FLOODING CAN CAUSE CERTAIN PREPAREDNESS  
ACTIVITIES TO BECOME UNSAFE.  
 
BE SURE TO LET FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS KNOW OF YOUR INTENTIONS FOR  
WEATHERING THE STORM AND YOUR WHEREABOUTS. HAVE SOMEONE LOCATED AWAY  
FROM THE THREATENED AREA SERVE AS YOUR POINT OF CONTACT. SHARE VITAL  
CONTACT INFORMATION WITH OTHERS. KEEP CELL PHONES HANDY AND CHARGED.  
 
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 WEATHER.GOV, NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND LOCAL NEWS  
OUTLETS FOR OFFICIAL STORM INFORMATION. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES  
TO THE FORECAST.  
 
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:  
- FOR INFORMATION ON APPROPRIATE PREPARATIONS SEE  
WWW.READYVIRGINIA.GOV, READYNC.ORG OR MEMA.MARYLAND.GOV  
- FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND STORM INFORMATION GO TO  
WEATHER.GOV/WAKEFIELD  
 
NEXT UPDATE  
-----------  
 
THE NEXT LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER  
SERVICE IN WAKEFIELD VA AROUND 6 PM EDT, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS  
WARRANT.  
 

 
 
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