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Irene: Watches Issued For The Carolinas

 

 


# 5781

 

This morning the National Hurricane Center in Miami issued hurricane and tropical storm watches for portions of the mid-Atlantic coastline.  A `watch’ indicates that the specified storm conditions are possible in the region within 48 hours.

 

Tropical storm watches extend from  north of Edisto Beach, S.C. to Surf City, N.C..

 

A hurricane watch is in effect from Surf City, N.C. to the North Carolina – Virginia border including the Pamlico, Albemarle, and Currituck Sounds.

 

Additional watches and warnings will be issued when appropriate.

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Overnight Irene appears to have undergone an EWRC (Eye Wall Replacement Cycle) which has temporarily weakened the storm slightly.  The 5am discussion from the NHC pegs her sustained winds at no more than 100 knots (115 MPH), but models suggest some additional strengthening is possible.

 

The intensity of a hurricane is more difficult to forecast than her track, so there is always some degree of uncertainty as to just how powerful a storm will be 48 to 72 hours in the future.


Nevertheless, here are this morning’s estimates from the 5am discussion from the NHC.

 

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This morning’s discussion also notes that the official track forecast has been shifted very slightly to the west, and is roughly in the middle of the guidance envelope which is bracketed by the UKMET on the east and the GFDL model on the west.

 

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Irene remains a very large and powerful storm, and even if it’s center should manage to stay offshore, it is capable of causing heavy damage and disruption along the eastern seaboard and even into New England.

 

Interests along the eastern seaboard of the United States should take this threat seriously, even those who live well inland.

 

Last May National Hurricane Preparedness week was observed, and during that month this blog devoted considerable space to that topic.

 

A few of my blogs on the subject included:

 

National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2011

Hurricane Preparedness Week: Inland Flooding

How Not To Be Gone With The Wind

Getting SLOSHed For Hurricane Season

 

Along with some general preparedness blogs:

 

When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough

In An Emergency, Who Has Your Back?

An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness

 

Some essential hurricane preparedness resources include:

 

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/index.shtm

 

http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html

 

While some very good information and analysis can be had through non-official channels on the internet, you should only rely on local emergency management officials, the National Hurricane Center, and the National Weather Service for:

  • forecasts
  • warnings
  • evacuation recommendations

 

That said, you can find some alternative hurricane resources from my blog post called Online Hurricane Resources from last June.

Related Post:

Preparedness

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