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Hurricane Local Statement issued October 29 at 5:22AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg

This product covers Virginia and Northwest North Carolina **Tropical Storm Zeta to Bring High Winds, Localized Flooding Rainfall, and Isolated Tornadoes Today** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Alleghany NC, Ashe, Bedford, Campbell, Carroll, Caswell, Charlotte, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson, Halifax, Henry, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yadkin * STORM INFORMATION: - About 420 miles west-southwest of Lynchburg VA or about 390 miles west-southwest of Danville VA - 34.0N 85.5W - Storm Intensity 60 mph - Movement Northeast or 40 degrees at 39 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Zeta is currently quickly skirting through central Alabama, into northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee. The rapid speed is expected to persist as it continues to travel northeast toward the Mid-Atlantic this morning. Further weakening is expected as the system approaches the region. As Zeta moves toward the region, tropical storm force winds will begin to impact southwestern areas, especially along and east of the Blue Ridge, across northwest North Carolina early today, with these winds spreading northeast across sections along and east of the Blue Ridge in Virginia through this morning into the afternoon across the Piedmont. Wind gusts in the 30 to 40 mph range with isolated higher gusts in rain bands to the northeast of the center can be expected along and east of the Blue Ridge. These winds could be strong enough to topple trees and result in power outages. In addition, brief, isolated tornadoes can not be ruled out for mainly areas around Southside near Danville and down into the North Carolina piedmont late this morning into the afternoon. Heavy rainfall will accompany Zeta with amounts of 1 to 2 inches widespread along and west of the Blue Ridge with locally 2 to 3 inches across the mountains of western North Carolina into far southwest Virginia. Because of this rainfall, flash flooding and flooding could occur this morning, and into the afternoon. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Virginia and Northwest North Carolina. Potential impacts 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. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across northwest and north central North Carolina, as well as much of southwest, west central, and south central Virginia. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, low water crossings and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded 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. * TORNADOES: Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across Virginia and Northwest North Carolina. 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. Elsewhere across Virginia and Northwest North Carolina, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter. Even if you are not in a flood prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don`t drown! If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see readync.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see vaemergency.gov NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Blacksburg VA as conditions warrant.

Counties Affected:
Alleghany; Ashe; Caswell; Rockingham; Stokes; Surry; Watauga; Wilkes; Yadkin

Issued by: NWS Blacksburg (Southwest Virginia)
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Tropical Storm Warning issued October 29 at 5:05AM EDT until further notice by NWS Blacksburg

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT... * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - West Jefferson - Glendale Springs * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 20-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph - POTENTIAL THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force. - PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect property should be completed as soon as possible. Prepare for limited wind damage. - ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - 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. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 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 rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded 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. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes - POTENTIAL THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Tornadoes not expected - The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur. - PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest tornado situation. - ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None - Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - https://readync.org

Counties Affected:
Ashe

Issued by: NWS Blacksburg (Southwest Virginia)
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Flood Watch issued October 28 at 1:55PM EDT until October 31 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... The Flood Watch continues for * Portions of North Carolina and southwest Virginia, including the following areas, in North Carolina, Alleghany NC, Ashe, Surry, Watauga and Wilkes. In southwest Virginia, Carroll, Floyd, Grayson and Patrick. * From Midnight EDT tonight through Thursday afternoon * Rain is expected to overspread the region later today and become heavy at times tonight and Thursday. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible. * Runoff from the heavy rain may cause area creeks, streams, and rivers to flood. Roads may be closed due to flooding.

Counties Affected:
Ashe

Issued by: NWS Blacksburg (Southwest Virginia)
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