Flooding Threat Continues/Nicole Becomes Hurricane
Flooding across the east continues today as many are still displaced from their homes. The Tar River is still in the process of rising today and will continue to rise over the next couple of days. The level is currently at 23.49 feet with the forecast crest set at 25.2 feet early Friday morning. The Contentnea Creek, Cape Fear River Near Chinquapin, Cashie River Near Windsor, Tar River at Rocky Mount, and Fishing Creek near Enfield are currently receding at this time and forecast to continue to recede over the next couple of days. The Tar River at Greenville, Neuse River at Kinston, Neuse River at Goldsboro, Cape Fear River Near Burgaw, and Tar River at Tarboro are all still rising or at their crest level. To view river levels I have set up a page listing the river levels as they are posted online.
Evacuation orders continue to be in place until further notice from local authorities as conditions in these areas remains unsafe.
If you are near an area with flood waters, it is important to stay out of the waters unless you absolutely have to be in them. Yesterday someone found leeches in the waters which should serve as motivation to not enter the water. Back in 1999 during the flooding following Hurricane Floyd, I remember walking chest deep in water when I realized that it was mixed with waste water (I was doing rescue and recover at the time).
The photos of the flooding are terrible reminding me of 1999 all over again. I can only hope that the people affected by this flood have evacuated before the flood waters reached their homes.
The bridge over the Tar River near the airport is close to being closed. The waters have risen high enough to close the airport and will soon overrun the bridge. If you need to travel over this bridge it is advised to do it now before it is too late. The river is going to crest later than first reported so the situation won’t be getting better this afternoon. The water will take a long time to flow out of the area even after it crests. By Monday, the water is forecast to be at 22 feet, about the same river level as it is now.
So my advise at this time is to remain safe and don’t put yourself or emergency crews in danger. Two people have been confirmed dead as a result of this flooding which is far too many.
Hurricane Nicole
Through all of the events occurring in ENC it has drawn our attention away from Hurricane Nicole currently over the Atlantic Ocean. Before I get too far in this discussion, I want to emphasize that this storm will not impact the US in its future.
Hurricane Nicole
8:00 AM EDT on October 12, 2016
Location 28 N -66.9 W
Winds: 100 mph Gust: 120 mph
Pressure: 969 mb
Category: 2
Moving: NNW at 5 mph
Hurricane Nicole is now a category 2 hurricane as of this morning. This isn’t the first time Nicole has been a hurricane during its lifetime. At one point it was a category 1 hurricane then weakened back to a tropical storm. Yesterday it was upgraded to a hurricane and is now a category 2 hurricane. It’s forecast track has it setting its sights on Bermuda.
There is strong agreement among the forecast models that this will pass near or over Bermuda during the next 24-36 hours as a category 2 hurricane. Hurricane Warnings have already been issued for the island as it braces for a strong hurricane.
The storm will accelerate to the northeast and become post tropical during the weekend.
Hope everyone has a safe day! I will be back this afternoon for another update regarding this dangerous situation.