Local officials keep eye on Tropical Storm Florence

Sept. 07--SOUTHEASTERN N.C. -- With Tropical Storm Florence hundreds of miles off the East Coast, it's still too early to know how it could impact coastal communities. But Southeastern North Carolina officials say now is the time to make sure your hurricane plan and supplies are up to date.

Friday evening, a weakened Florence was spinning about 905 miles east-southeast of Bermuda, with maximum sustained winds of of 65 mph. Though Florence was no longer a hurricane Friday, the National Weather Service forecast that it would return to hurricane strength Sunday or Monday, and could be a major storm -- Category 3 or higher -- by Tuesday morning.

Some models show Florence veering sharply north in the coming days and missing the United States entirely, while others have it moving toward the coast. Wherever the storm goes, beach-goers could see some impacts as early as this weekend.

"Regardless of Florence's eventual track, large swells will begin to affect Bermuda later today and portions of the U.S. East Coast this weekend, resulting in life-threatening surf and rip currents," a message from the National Weather Service read.

Reid Hawkins, science officer for the National Weather Service's Wilmington office, said that even if waves do not look tall this weekend, there will be a great deal of energy in the water. That energy, from Florence's strong winds, could mean rip currents at Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender County beaches.

"It's coming from the southeast, so it's probably going to impact all of them," Hawkins said.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Friday that the State Emergency Operations Center will activate Monday to monitor the storm and respond as needed.

The earliest that storm-force winds are expected to reach the coast is Tuesday night, if Florence does not veer off, according to the National Weather Service. Hawkins said forecasters will have a better sense of the storm's track Sunday or Monday, and much greater certainty about where the storm could hit by Wednesday.

In the meantime, his office is putting precautions in place. Hawkins said the office will begin sending out regular PowerPoints on the storm's movement to local emergency officials and media, and additional National Weather Service staff will be brought in early next week.

"Hopefully it'll veer off and be out in the ocean and not get anybody, but we'll be ready to go," he said.

Getting prepared

Emergency officials say Southeastern North Carolina residents should use this weekend to ensure their supplies are up to date.

In a news release, Pender County Emergency Management advised people to visit www.ReadyNC.org to find a supply checklist and download the ReadyNC app from the statewide Emergency Management office.

"This is the time to prepare," the release quoted Pender emergency director Tom Collins. "If you don't have a hurricane emergency kit, this is the time to assemble one. Have batteries, plenty of drinking water, medications, cash, and propane in stock."

The state emergency office recommends that kits have enough supplies for every person in your household for three to seven days. If you have a pet, make sure he has his own store of supplies, including an ID tag and current photos in case he gets lost.

Families should have a standing emergency plan that every member of the household understands, according to the state office. Keep contact numbers for family and friends handy, and make sure they are aware if you are expecting severe weather in your area.

Hawkins said while it's far too early to expect the worst, it never hurts to prepare for it.

"Be ready to go when the time comes," Hawkins said.

Reporter Cammie Bellamy can be reached at 910-343-2339 or [email protected].

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