#MEwx Tropical Storm Warning now in effect

TROPICAL WEATHER STATEMENT

ISSUED: 5:34 AM AUG. 4, 2020 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

This product covers New Hampshire and western Maine

***TROPICAL STORM ISAIAS EXPECTED TO AFFECT NEW HAMPSHIRE AND WESTERN

MAINE***

NEW INFORMATION

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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:

- The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm

Warning for Androscoggin, Interior Cumberland Highlands,

Northern Carroll, Northern Coos, Northern Franklin, Northern

Grafton, Northern Oxford, Southern Carroll, Southern Coos,

Southern Franklin, Southern Grafton, Southern Oxford, and

Sullivan

 

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:

- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Central Somerset,

Interior Waldo, Kennebec, and Southern Somerset

- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Androscoggin,

Belknap, Central Interior Cumberland, Cheshire, Coastal

Cumberland, Coastal Rockingham, Coastal Waldo, Coastal York,

Eastern Hillsborough, Interior Cumberland Highlands, Interior

Rockingham, Interior York, Knox, Lincoln, Merrimack, Northern

Carroll, Northern Coos, Northern Franklin, Northern Grafton,

Northern Oxford, Sagadahoc, Southern Carroll, Southern Coos,

Southern Franklin, Southern Grafton, Southern Oxford,

Strafford, Sullivan, and Western And Central Hillsborough

 

* STORM INFORMATION:

- About 630 miles southwest of Portland ME or about 590 miles

southwest of Portsmouth NH

- 36.3N 77.5W

- Storm Intensity 70 mph

- Movement North-northeast or 20 degrees at 28 mph

 

SITUATION OVERVIEW

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Isaias is expected to track quickly through western New England

this evening into the early morning hours Wednesday. The majority of

storm impacts will be felt in roughly a 6 hour period tonight.

 

Southerly winds are expected to increase in the early evening and gust

to 40 to 60 mph at times as Isaias tracks near the Connecticut River

Valley. This may be capable of downing some trees and power lines. In

addition, there will be a threat for isolated tornadoes on the eastern

side of Isaias. Winds will begin to diminish early Wednesday morning.

Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected, mainly in the

Connecticut River Valley and the mountains of northern New Hampshire

and western Maine. This may lead to flash flooding in complex terrain

or poor drainage areas, in addition to minor river flooding. Parts of

the forecast area near the coast may see less than 1 inch of rainfall.

 

In general, the coastal flooding threat is low based on the forecast

forward speed of Isaias, with any inundation likely less than a foot.

Some splashover is expected during the Tuesday night high tide

however. Rough surf and an increased risk for dangerous rip currents

will be possible both ahead of Isaias today and behind it on

Wednesday.

 

POTENTIAL IMPACTS

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* WIND:

Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across

New Hampshire and western Maine. 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, leading to downed power lines.

- A few roads impassable from debris, caused by downed branches

and power lines. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and

other elevated roadways.

- Scattered power and communications outages likely.

 

* SURGE:

Little or no impacts from surge and inundation flooding are anticipated

at this time across New Hampshire and western Maine.

 

* FLOODING RAIN:

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible

significant impacts across the Connecticut River Valley, the White

Mountains, and the western Maine mountains. Potential impacts include:

- 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, and

ditches will 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

will become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

 

Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible

limited impacts across southern New Hampshire and coastal western

Maine.

 

* TORNADOES:

Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts

across New Hampshire and western Maine. 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, and small boats

pulled from moorings.

 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

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* EVACUATIONS:

If evacuating away from the area or relocating to a nearby shelter,

leave early before weather conditions become hazardous. Listen to

local officials for recommended preparedness actions, including

possible evacuation.

 

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Now is the time to bring to completion all preparations to protect

life and property in accordance with your emergency plan.

 

Outside preparations should be wrapped up as soon as possible before

weather conditions completely deteriorate. Any remaining evacuations

and relocations should be expedited before the onset of tropical

storm force wind.

 

Check-in with your emergency points of contact among family, friends,

and workmates. Inform them of your status and well-being. Let them

know how you intend to ride out the storm and when you plan to

check-in again.

 

Keep cell phones well charged and handy. Also, cell phone chargers

for automobiles can be helpful after the storm. Locate your chargers

and keep them with your cell phone.

 

In emergencies it is best to remain calm. Stay informed and focused

on the situation at hand. Exercise patience with those you encounter.

Be a Good Samaritan and helpful to others.

 

If relocating to a nearby shelter or to the home of a family member

or friend, drive with extra caution, especially on secondary roads.

Remember, many bridges and causeways will be closed once higher winds

arrive. Also, if you encounter water covering the road, seek an

alternate route. Always obey official road signs for closures and

detours.

 

If you are a visitor and still in the area, listen for the name of

the city or town in which you are staying within local news updates.

Be sure you know the name of the county or parish in which it

resides. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities.

 

Closely monitor NOAA Weather radio or other local news outlets for

official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to

the forecast.

 

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov

- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org

- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

 

NEXT UPDATE

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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather

Service in Gray ME around 12 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.