Hanna knocking on the Carolina’s door, winds sustained at 70mph

By Phillip Williams
Chief Meteorologist
Published: September 5, 2008

Hanna Update as of 10:30pm Friday…

Rain squalls are moving into southeastern NC at this time with a few tornado warnings that were in effect for parts of Onslow and Duplin Counties.  Those were radar indicated tornadoes.  There is no confirmation of any touching the ground at this time.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect for all of the area until 5am.  Current wind gusts along the southeast coast are around 25 to 35 mph.

Track

A landfall is forecast along the southern NC coast around 3 am Saturday morning.  The worst weather will precede the eye and be within 50 miles to the east of the center.  The center of Hanna is then expected to near Greenville around 8 or 9 am Saturday.  By 2pm, the center should be moving into Virginia. The worst of the storm would be in Jacksonville between 2 am and 9 am.  The worst of the storm would be in Greenville between 4am and 11am Saturday.

Intensity

As of the latest advisory, Hanna has winds of 70mph.  Little change in strength is likely, but Hanna is only 4mph away from being a Category One Hurricane.  Once this storm makes landfall it will slowly weaken from there, but with the forward speed expected to be picking up, this storm could carry winds farther inland than most.  A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning is in effect for our entire coast and the Pamlico Sound.  A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Albemarle Sound.  A tropical storm wind warning is in effect for inland areas including Williamston, Greenville, Kinston, and Kenansville.

Forward Speed

Hanna is currently moving at 20mph and is expected to be moving at around 25 mph as it hits the coast.

Threats

Rainfall will be around 2 to 4 inches for most places which will be handled by the rivers well.  Smaller streams, creeks, and urban areas will have some flooding.  Salt Water flooding will be likely with a storm surge within 50 miles east of the center.  Water backing up the New River at Jacksonville is likely to cause flooding as is on the Neuse at New Bern, on the Pungo River at Belhaven, the Pamlico at Washington, and Mainland Hyde County.  Water rises in the 2 to 3 feet level is likely. Isolated Tornadoes are possible along and east of the track.  Winds will be strong enough for minor damage including some trees down, signs down, spotty power outages, and the like.  Inland areas are likely to have tropical storm force winds which would bring down a few weak trees, take off some shingles, bring down a few signs, and have some spotty power outages.  Wind gusts between 50 and 70mph are possible along the coast with gust between 35 and 55 inland.

Stay tuned to WNCT for the latest updates on Hanna with Live VIPIR 9.  When you join our broadcast, you will see that 9 is on your side with ways to stay safe during and after the storm.

Storm Team 9 Chief Meteorologist Phillip Williams