EF-1 Tornado Troy (Pike County Alabama) March 23 2012

Troy airport, pic from an airport employee March 23 2012; Could be a rain-wrapped tornado in the distance..

Here's the official report [storm survey] from the US National Weather Service Birmingham Alabama

Rating: EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind: 90-100 mph
Injuries/Fatalities: None
Damage Path Length: 1.7 miles
Maximum Path Width: 700 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time: 31.8379/-86.0439 at 926 am
Approximate End Point/Time: 31.8547/-86.0230 at 933 am

We have confirmed that the damage in Troy (Pike County) on the morning of March 23rd was due to a short-lived EF-1 tornado. The tornado was viewed by the observer at the Troy Municipal Airport, and fortunately dissipated before impacting the terminal. Check out the latest survey information here.

January 23 2012 Alabama Tornado Radar images....

Thanks to Meteorologist Matthew East News 14 Carolina for posting these Radar Captures on his blog of the tornadic supercell that impacted Jefferson county, Center Point, Maplesville, and Clanton areas in Alabama. You can check them out here Damage was reported in Jefferson County communities of Oak Grove, Pinson, Center Point and Trussville.

In the coming days, I'll have some RADAR Captures posted I took as the storms pushed closer to my area in Georgia.

Alabama Hail January 7 2012 - Pictures

Strong storms rolled through parts of Northern Alabama on January 7 2012 dropping heavy amounts of hail. Enough hail to cover the ground making it look like a January snow. All images courtesy James Spann

Hail covering the ground in the Dallas-Selfville community of southern Blount County northeast of Birmingham 01-07-2012

Hail from the stronger storms over North Alabama 01-07-2012

Hail covering Alabama Highway 79 in north Jefferson County near Trafford 01-07-2012

Roads are hail covered in Cleveland Alabama Blount County 01-07-2012

Radar Screen Shot 2012-01-07 at 356 PM CST

Follow Up: Georgia / Alabama Tornadoes December 22 2011

In my earlier post [ 3 Confirmed Tornadoes in Georgia on December 22 2011, and the bad news is.. ] I provided what information was available at the time. I was aware of tornadoes in Alabama on December 22 2011, but no information was yet available. Below find information on the tornadoes in Alabama December 22 2011, as well as updated information on the tornadoes in Georgia on December 22 2011.

Tornadoes in Georgia Updated to add graphics and pictures.

Click images to enlarge. Use your back button to return here.

EF-3 TORNADO IN GORDON COUNTY	Remains of a house near Calhoun, GA
EF-2 TORNADO IN FLOYD COUNTY	Aerial View of Damage in Floyd Co, GA
EF-1 TORNADO IN COWETA COUNTY	Damage to House, Trees Down in Coweta Co, GA

You can read the event summary and view more damage pictures at the Peachtree City National Weather Service page Here

Tornadoes in Alabama December 22 2011

Centreville (Bibb) EF-0 Tornado December 22nd, 2011
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Bibb County and assessed damage that was consistent with a tornado. An EF-0 tornado with winds of 70 to 80 mph briefly touched down 2 miles south of Centreville. Several large pines were uprooted at this location. No other damage was noted in either direction, which indicates just a brief touchdown along County Road 219. MORE [link opens in new window/tab]

Lawley (Bibb) EF-0 Tornado December 22nd, 2011
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Bibb County and assessed damage that was consistent with a tornado. An EF-0 tornado with winds of 70 to 80 mph briefly touched down between Lawley and Randolph in southeast Bibb County. Damage along the beginning of the path was only 50 yards wide. This was along Hwy 82, where only large limbs were broken. The tornado then lifted just east of County Road 36. Here, the damage was 150 yards wide with numerous trees uprooted and snapped. MORE [link opens in new window/tab]

Dallas County EF-0 Tornado December 22nd, 2011
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Dallas County and assessed damage that was consistent with a tornado. The tornado touched down approximately 6 miles east of Selma along County Road 306 where minor tree damage occurred, along with roof damage to two mobile homes. The tornado then traveled further to the northeast, to Garner and Harville Roads where several soft and hardwood trees were damage or snapped. There was also some structure damage, with one outbuilding destroyed and one mobile home that was shifted off its foundation blocks. The tornado lifted shortly after, near River Road, with evidence of some additional tree damage. MORE [link opens in new window/tab]

Columbiana (Shelby) EF-0 Tornado December 22nd, 2011
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Shelby County and assessed damage that was consistent with a tornado. An EF-0 tornado with winds of 70 to 80 mph briefly touched down in Columbiana along County Road 47 and moved northeast for 1.9 miles and lifted along County Road 25. Along its path, 2 homes were damaged due to falling trees and approximately 50 trees were either snapped or uprooted. MORE [link opens in new window/tab]

Autauga and Elmore County EF-0 Tornado December 22nd, 2011
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Autauga and Elmore Counties and assessed damage that was consistent with a tornado. The tornado touched down along County Road 57, about 3 miles northwest of Boones Chapel, where significant roof damage occurred to a mobile home. The same mobile home also sustained decking material damage and damage caused by a fallen tree. The tornado continued northeast, crossing Interstate 65 and Highway 31, where additional tree damage occurred. Significant damage also occurred further northeast along County Road 68 and Highway 143 in the Wadsworth community, where several outdoor buildings sustained structural damage, along with damage to several hard and softwood trees. The tornado began to lift just across the Elmore County line on Tram road where additional outbuilding roof and tree damage occurred. The parent supercell produced another tornado that moved through Coosa and into Tallapoosa County [ See Information Below - Elmore/Coosa/Tallapoosa County EF-1 Tornado ]. MORE [link opens in new window/tab]

Elmore/Coosa/Tallapoosa County EF-1 Tornado December 22nd, 2011
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Elmore, Coosa and Tallapoosa Counties and assessed damage that was consistent with a tornado. A non-continuous tornado track with maximum EF-1 winds of 90 to 100 mph moved across portions and northern Elmore, eastern Coosa and lifted just east of the Tallapoosa County line. The tornado first touched down on Grey Ferry Road resulting in 50 snapped trees. Sporadic damage occurred along the path with two distinct areas reaching EF-1 strength. The first area of EF-1 damage occurred on County Road 14 just east of Hwy 231 in Coosa County. Here, hundreds of trees were snapped with a damage width of 200 yards. The tornado then continued northeast, crossing Hwy 231 and County Road 22. This is where the tornado reached its maximum width of 300 yards near Hissop in Coosa County. The tornado continued northeast and regained its EF-1 strength on County Road 89 near Hwy 280 in Kellyton. Here, a large metal building was destroyed and a large 100 year-old oak was uprooted. The tornado lifted just northeast of Hwy 280 on Hix Road in Tallapoosa County. Along its path, 1 building was destroyed and 1 home was damaged. In total, approximately 400 to 500 trees were snapped or uprooted. MORE [link opens in new window/tab]

See also: Tornadoes on December 22nd, 2011 - Event Summary for Central Alabama via National Weather Service Birmingham, AL

Pictures: Harris County Georgia Tornado on November 16 2011

A NWS survey team determined that an EF-2 tornado tracked across Harris County the afternoon of Wednesday, November 16, 2011. The peak wind speeds were estimated at 125 mph, mainly around the Hamilton, GA area. The tornado originated in Alabama, crossing the Georgia border near Lake Harding. The tornado then traveled 26 miles across Harris County, ending at the Harris/Talbot County line near the town of Shiloh. The average width was estimated at 1/2 mile.

Picture of EF-2 Tornado Harris County Georgia on November 16, 2011

Tornado that passed through Harris county Georgia and hit Harris county High School, Harris County 911 call center, and other buildings/houses in the Hamilton Georgia area. - Photo via Nate Wade

Via the NWS Peachtree City, GA

A National Weather Service survey team determined that an EF-2 tornado tracked across Harris County the afternoon of Wednesday, November 16, 2011. The peak wind speeds were estimated at 125 mph, mainly around the Hamilton, GA area. The tornado originated in Alabama, crossing the Georgia border near Lake Harding around 135 PM EST. The tornado then traveled 26 miles across Harris County, ending at the Harris/Talbot County line near the town of Shiloh. The average width was estimated at 1/2 mile. A total of 2 injuries were reported in Harris County due to the tornado.

Two structures were destroyed and 30 structures were damaged, including the Harris County School Complex which contains an elementary, middle and high school. Also damaged was the 911 center and an animal shelter in Hamilton, GA. Hundreds of trees were also snapped or uprooted.

Tornado that passed through the Auburn Alabama area and continued through Harris county Georgia. - Photo taken in Auburn By Stacey McCollough Elmer

Unconfirmed Tornado Harris County Georgia, Auburn Alabama - Videos - November 16 2011

At this time [ 9:50 PM 11/16/2011 ], it remains unknown if widespread damage caused by severe storms was caused by Tornadoes. Below are , videos, storm reports and storm tracks from todays severe weather outbreak. I will have more information to post tomorrow.

Via WRBL News 3


Video - Storm damage in Harris County Georgia




via WTVM


Video - Storm damage at Harris County High School




Map of warnings that were issued today across portions of the South as of 6:46 PM EST

Storm Reports

VIA National Weather Service Birmingham, AL
 

1200 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 E NOTASULGA           32.57N 85.58W
11/16/2011                   LEE                AL   911 CALL CENTER

            POSSIBLE TORNADO. BUILDING BLOWN DOWN.

1207 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 E AUBURN              32.59N 85.46W
11/16/2011                   LEE                AL   BROADCAST MEDIA

            POSSIBLE TORNADO. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AT TERRACE ACRES
            APARTMENT COMPLEX.

1215 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 SSE OPELIKA           32.62N 85.36W
11/16/2011                   LEE                AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            POSSIBLE TORNADO. MAJOR DAMAGE TO TRAILER PARK. TRAILERS
            AND VEHICLES TOTALLY DEMOLISHED.

1215 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 S OPELIKA             32.62N 85.39W
11/16/2011                   LEE                AL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            POSSIBLE TORNADO. MAJOR ROOF DAMAGE TO HOMES, POWER POLES
            SNAPPED, POWER LINES DOWN.

VIA Storm Prediction Center

1836 3 WNW MOUNTAIN HILL HARRIS GA
HARRIS COUNTY 911 RELAYED REPORTS OF NUMEROUS DOWNED TREES IN THE WESTERN PORTIONS OF THE COUNTY. (FFC)

1845 2 NNE MOUNTAIN HILL HARRIS GA
POSSIBLE TORNADO BENT HIGHWAY SIGNS 90 DEGREES AND CAUSED VERY STRONG WINDS. (FFC)

1854 HAMILTON HARRIS GA
AMATUER RADIO RELAYED A REPORT OF DAMAGE TO THE HIGH SCHOOL AND CARS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. THIS DAMAGE IS POSSIBLY THE RESULT OF A TORNADO. (FFC)

See related post: Georgia / Alabama Severe Weather Possible Wednesday 11/16/2011

Storm on October 13 2011 - Harris County Georgia

I was at the doctors office in Northern Harris county off of HWY 219 [River RD] near Lick Skillet RD. when the storm blew through about 1:35 pm. I called this storm in to the Harris Co. 911 call center.

My observations: I watched the sky darken from inside the doctors office. I knew something was coming. I stepped outside and saw this particular large cloud which was rotating in upper and lower levels. As it moved through I spotted a wall cloud. From my point of view, I couldn't see the defining area of the shelf cloud, or enough of it to verify what I was seeing, viewed in the images below. Moments later I heard the roar of the outflow winds coming from the storm which I have experienced a couple times before [Amazing Sound], which brought trees down at the homestead back in April of this year. I estimated the winds to be in excess of 50 mph. This caused the power to go out at the doctors office. I didn't notice any hail as it was raining so hard, and the wind was so strong I retreated back inside the doctors office. Which I might add is a double wide trailer, not the safest place but I had no alternative.

On my way back home I counted 5 trees down, 3 of which partially blocked 1 lane on these two lane roads I traveled. 1 across the power lines and numerous branches from large to small scattered about the roads. The route I took - River Road [ HWY 219 ] north [Tree across power lines], to Mountain Hill School Rd [Tree blocking lane in two areas], to Hwy 315 to the fork of 315 and Fortson RD [tree blocking one lane] and continuing on to West Bon Acre.
There were reports of downed tress and power lines in the Mulberry Grove area, across roads and on houses. I wasn't able to see the trees on houses or the downed power lines. Honestly I didn't look for them, I was trying to get home and see if there was any damage there and check on family members [especially MOM]. No damage at the homestead this time. I had just over a half inch of rain here at the homestead from this storm. 0.51 inches.

Click images to enlarge. Use your back button to return here.

Image credit: Andy Mason	Image credit: Angie Wright Russell
Image credit: bcorrell via WTVM	Image credit: Brandon Thomas
Image credit: Carla Horne Creamer	Image credit: Kevin Holden
Image credit: Matthew Cook	Image credit: Phil Scoggins via WRBL
Image credit: WTVM	Image credit: WTVM
Image credit: Kevin Roble WRBL	Map of roads I traveled

Storm Damage Reports from around the area.

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
956 PM EDT THU OCT 13 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0146 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MULBERRY GROVE          32.66N 84.96W
10/13/2011                   HARRIS             GA   911 CALL CENTER

            HARRIS COUNTY 911 RELAYED REPORTS OF SEVERAL DOWNED TREES
            AND POWER LINES IN SOUTHERN HARRIS COUNTY. SEVERAL ROADS
            AND 2 HOMES HAD TREES DOWNED ONTO THEM.

******************

0154 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SW FLAT ROCK          32.53N 84.88W
10/13/2011                   MUSCOGEE           GA   911 CALL CENTER

            MUSCOGEE COUNTY 911 RELAYED REPORT OF A DOWNED TREE IN
            THE GATEWAY ROAD AREA OF COLUMBUS.

******************

0201 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 S HAMILTON            32.73N 84.88W
10/13/2011                   HARRIS             GA   911 CALL CENTER

            HARRIS COUNTY 911 RELAYED REPORTS OF 6-10 DOWNED TREES
            ALONG THE AREAS OF HWY 219 AND HWY 103.

******************

0207 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NE WAVERLY HALL       32.72N 84.71W
10/13/2011                   HARRIS             GA   911 CALL CENTER

            HARRIS COUNTY 911 RELAYED A REPORT OF A DOWNED TREE ON
            ALABAMA ROAD.

******************

0230 PM     HAIL             2 S TALBOTTON           32.65N 84.54W
10/13/2011  E0.50 INCH       TALBOT             GA   911 CALL CENTER

            TALBOT COUNTY 911 REPORTED SMALL HAIL...JUST SMALLER THAN
            A DIME...AT THE 911 CENTER SOUTH OF TALBOTTON.

Awesome Shelf Cloud Picture from September 28 2011

Early morning storms from a mesoscale convective system (MCS) moved through the area bringing gusty winds, frequent lightning, heavy rain and pea sized hail in some parts of west central Georgia. This system also brought with it a nice shelf cloud on it's leading edge.

Image credit Lawrence Baldwin from Richland, GA. via WRBL News 3's Facebook

Cherokee County Georgia Tornado Track Images

Tornado Details

Location: Cherokee County
Rating: EF-1
Wind Speed: 90MPH
Path Length: 24 miles
Path Width: 1/4 mile
Injuries: 1
Deaths: 0
Additional Information: The initial touchdown was just south of Dixie Speedway near Woodstock in south Central Cherokee County. The tornado moved north to northeast and then lifted completely near Nelson in north central Cherokee County. Brookshire and Towne Lake Hills South subdivisions were the hardest hit with 400 homes damaged or destroyed.

Path of EF-1 tornado that struck Cherokee County.

Storm Report

0311 PM     TORNADO          3 WSW WOODSTOCK         34.08N 84.57W
09/05/2011  F1               CHEROKEE           GA   NWS STORM SURVEY

            *** 1 INJ *** MAX WIND SPEED 90 MPH...PATH LENGTH 24
            MILES SEMI-CONTINUOUS...MAX PATH WIDTH 1/4 MILE. INITIAL
            TOUCH DOWN JUST SOUTH OF DIXIE SPEEDWAY NEAR WOODSTOCK IN
            SOUTH CENTRAL CHEROKEE COUNTY...MOVED NORTH TO NORTHEAST
            THEN LIFTED COMPLETELY NEAR NELSON IN NORTH CENTRAL
            CHEROKEE COUNTY. BROOKSHIRE AND TOWNE LAKE HILLS SOUTH
            SUBDIVISIONS HARDEST HIT WITH 400 HOMES DAMAGED OR
            DESTROYED. 1 CONFIRMED INJURY.

Reflectivity image of Cherokee County tornado.

Storm Relative Velocity of Cherokee County tornado.

Damage to a house in Holly Springs, GA (Cherokee County).

Damage from the EF-1 tornado in Cherokee County.

Trees snapped by the EF-1 tornado in Holly Springs, GA (Cherokee County).

Information provided by National Weather Service - Peachtree City, GA

See related: Tornadoes in Georgia on September 5 2011 published September 6, 2011

Tornadoes in Georgia on September 5 2011

Numerous reports of Tornadoes, Funnel Clouds, Wind Damage and Flooding in Georgia due to Tropical Storm Lee and it's interaction with a Cold Front that moved toward the area from the northwest. Combined, these two features probably caused more severe weather than TSLee would have alone.

While the local area was spared from most of the severe weather [more on this below], others were not. Here area confirmed as well as unconfirmed reports on tornadoes in Georgia as of 9/06/11 :

Confirmed

0311 PM     TORNADO          3 WSW WOODSTOCK         34.08N 84.57W
09/05/2011  F1               CHEROKEE           GA   NWS STORM SURVEY

            *** 1 INJ *** MAX WIND SPEED 90 MPH...PATH LENGTH 24
            MILES SEMI-CONTINUOUS...MAX PATH WIDTH 1/4 MILE. INITIAL
            TOUCH DOWN JUST SOUTH OF DIXIE SPEEDWAY NEAR WOODSTOCK IN
            SOUTH CENTRAL CHEROKEE COUNTY...MOVED NORTH TO NORTHEAST
            THEN LIFTED COMPLETELY NEAR NELSON IN NORTH CENTRAL
            CHEROKEE COUNTY. BROOKSHIRE AND TOWNE LAKE HILLS SOUTH
            SUBDIVISIONS HARDEST HIT WITH 400 HOMES DAMAGED OR
            DESTROYED. 1 CONFIRMED INJURY.

Unconfirmed

0235 PM     TORNADO          WINSTON                 33.73N 84.83W
09/05/2011                   DOUGLAS            GA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            AMATEUR RADIO RELAYED A REPORT FROM A TRAINED SPOTTER OF
            A TORNADO NEAR WINSTON.

0245 PM     TORNADO          POWDER SPRINGS          33.86N 84.68W
09/05/2011                   COBB               GA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            AMATEUR RADIO RELAYED TRAINED SPOTTER REPORT OF TORNADO
            IN THE MACKLIN WOODS AREA OF POWDER SPRINGS.

0313 PM     TORNADO          1 W WOODSTOCK           34.10N 84.54W
09/05/2011                   CHEROKEE           GA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            *** 1 INJ *** CHEROKEE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
            RELAYED REPORTS DAMAGE ALONG A LINE FROM THE
            COBB-CHEROKEE LINE WEST OF WOODSTOCK NORTHEAST ACROSS THE
            ENTIRE COUNTY ENTERING PICKENS COUNTY. 1 CONFIRMED INJURY
            AND DAMAGE TO MULTIPLE STRUCTURES ALONG ITS PATH. SEVERAL
            ROADS ARE STILL CLOSED DUE TO DEBRIS BLOCKAGE.

0313 PM     TORNADO          1 W WOODSTOCK           34.10N 84.54W
09/05/2011                   CHEROKEE           GA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            CHEROKEE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RELAYED A LAW

            ENFORCEMENT REPORT OF A TORNADO 1 MILE WEST OF WOODSTOCK.

0315 PM     TORNADO          WOODSTOCK               34.10N 84.52W
09/05/2011                   CHEROKEE           GA   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC REPORTS TORNADO TOUCHDOWN IN WOODSTOCK. TREES WERE
            DOWNED ONTO 2 HOUSES...SHINGLES TAKEN OFF ROOFS...AND
            TOWNLAKE PARKWAY WAS BLOCKED BY NUMEROUS TREES.

As mentioned, the local area was spared from Tornado Damage. I do not know of any Tornadoes touching down, or being reported in the local area at this time. This may change as the National Weather Service continues to survey storm damage in Georgia caused by possible tornadoes and high winds. High winds at this time are believed to be the cause of damage reported in Columbus and Mulberry Grove in Harris County.

Click all images below to enlarge, then use your back button to return here.

Here is my account of the Storm that may have caused the damage in Columbus and Mulberry Grove in Harris County, as Tweeted and posted on Facebook.

https://twitter.com/#!/CataulaGaWX/status/110767244526616576
Watching a cell in Barbour Co. Alabama for development heading into Russel Co. , About an hour away from Columbus #gawx #cataulagawx #alwx

https://twitter.com/#!/CataulaGaWX/status/110773665045561344
Not liking the looks of cell in central Russell County Alabama #gawx #alwx #cataulagawx

https://twitter.com/#!/CataulaGaWX/status/110774681082142720
NWS has issued a Tornado Warning for Lee & Russell Counties until 01:30 PM CDT #alwx #gawx

https://twitter.com/#!/CataulaGaWX/status/110777184309886976
Tornado Warning for Lee And Russell County Alabama until 2:30 EDT. This storm is moving in the direction of North... http://fb.me/U6fnadve
And the post the link above goes to on Facebook
Tornado Warning for Lee And Russell County Alabama until 2:30 EDT. This storm is moving in the direction of North West Columbus and Harris County. Muscogee and Harris counties are not under a warning. Just a heads up.
Which included this image-
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1363364&l=2256890dc2&id=220151324667478

https://twitter.com/#!/CataulaGaWX/status/110777892195151872
This Storm has the possibility of impacting Muscogee and Harris County http://goo.gl/nA2wc #gawx #alwx

https://twitter.com/#!/CataulaGaWX/status/110779494490570752
TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL HARRIS COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN MUSCOGEE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA UNTIL 300 PM EDT

https://twitter.com/#!/CataulaGaWX/status/110783128146165760
Heres an Idea of where the possible Tornado will pass in Muscogee and Harris counties GA http://goo.gl/BBGMh #gawx
And the post the link above goes to on Facebook which included this image
https://www.facebook.com/CataulaGaWeatherAlerts/posts/187090364698053

https://twitter.com/#!/CataulaGaWX/status/110785142271909889
THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN MUSCOGEE COUNTY IS CANCELLED #gawx

https://twitter.com/#!/CataulaGaWX/status/110785577418375168
THE TORNADO WARNING FOR Western and Central Harris County GA still active until 3:00 PM EDT #gawx

https://twitter.com/#!/CataulaGaWX/status/110789247069466624
TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL HARRIS COUNTY SOUTHERN MERIWETHER SOUTHEASTERN TROUP IN WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA UNTIL 345 PM EDT #gawx


Here area a couple of images showing velocity data taken during the same time period as the images above.

Here are Georgia Tornado Warnings that were issued on September 5 2011 from 6 AM thru 10 PM EDT

Hurricane Irene Update - Landfall August 27 2011

Hurricane Irene is now a Strong category 1 hurricane. With winds still expected to be a threat early on, the bigger threat will be storm surge and rain amounts. This is provided she continues to weaken as she moves north northeast on her projected track.

Here are a couple screen grabs I took moments ago -

Hurricane Irene making landfall 524AMEDT AUGUST 27 2011

Hurricane Irene Rain total 1040pm-519amedt August 27 2011 Roughly 6½ hours

Here's the latest from the National Hurricane Center at 5 AM EDT, with forecast track and model plots following the text.

HURRICANE IRENE ADVISORY NUMBER  28
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL       AL092011
500 AM EDT SAT AUG 27 2011

...CENTER OF IRENE EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN NORTH CAROLINA
DURING THE NEXT FEW HOURS...

SUMMARY OF 500 AM EDT...0900 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...34.1N 76.5W
ABOUT 35 MI...55 KM S OF CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA
ABOUT 95 MI...155 KM SW OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...90 MPH...150 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...952 MB...28.11 INCHES

DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 500 AM EDT...0900 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 34.1 NORTH...LONGITUDE 76.5 WEST.  IRENE IS MOVING
TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 14 MPH...22 KM/H...AND THIS GENERAL
MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.  ON THE
FORECAST TRACK...THE CENTER OF IRENE WILL MAKE LANDFALL IN EASTERN
NORTH CAROLINA DURING THE NEXT FEW HOURS AND THEN MOVE ACROSS
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.  THE HURRICANE IS FORECAST TO MOVE NEAR OR
OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST TONIGHT AND MOVE OVER SOUTHERN NEW
ENGLAND ON SUNDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 90 MPH...150 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  IRENE IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON
HURRICANE WIND SCALE.  LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS EXPECTED BEFORE
IRENE REACHES THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA...AND IRENE IS EXPECTED
TO REMAIN NEAR THE THRESHOLD OF CATEGORY ONE AND CATEGORY TWO
STRENGTH.  SOME WEAKENING IS EXPECTED AFTER IRENE REACHES THE COAST
OF NORTH CAROLINA...BUT IRENE IS FORECAST TO REMAIN A HURRICANE AS
IT MOVES NEAR OR OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES AND NEW ENGLAND.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 90 MILES...150 KM...FROM
THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO
260 MILES...415 KM.  THE NOAA AUTOMATED STATION AT CAPE LOOKOUT
RECENTLY REPORTED SUSTAINED WINDS OF 61 MPH...98 KM/H...AND A WIND
GUST OF 78 MPH...126 KM/H.  A STORM SPOTTER IN STACY NORTH CAROLINA
RECENTLY REPORTED A WIND GUST OF 93 MPH...150 KM/H. 

THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE RESERVE
HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT IS 952 MB...28.11 INCHES.  A NOAA BUOY IN
ONSLOW BAY NORTH CAROLINA RECENTLY REPORTED A PRESSURE OF 
963.1 MB...28.44 INCHES.


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND...TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD INLAND
OVER THE WARNING AREA TODAY.  HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS ARE SPREADING
ONTO THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST...AND SHOULD SPREAD NORTHWARD THROUGH
THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA DURING THE DAY.  TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE
WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST LATER THIS
MORNING WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED BY THIS AFTERNOON.
TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH SOUTHERN NEW
ENGLAND TONIGHT WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED ON SUNDAY.

STORM SURGE...AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM TIDE WILL RAISE WATER
LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 5 TO 9 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL IN THE
HURRICANE WARNING AREA IN NORTH CAROLINA...INCLUDING THE ALBEMARLE
AND PAMLICO SOUNDS.  STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH
AS 4 TO 8 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WITHIN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA
FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER NORTHWARD TO CAPE COD
INCLUDING SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS
TRIBUTARIES.  NEAR THE COAST...THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY
LARGE...DESTRUCTIVE...AND LIFE-THREATENING WAVES.  STORM SURGE
VALUES ARE VERY LOCATION-SPECIFIC...AND USERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT
PRODUCTS ISSUED BY THEIR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES.

RAINFALL...IRENE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF
6 TO 10 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES...FROM
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD THROUGH THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES
INTO EASTERN NEW YORK AND WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.  THESE RAINS
COULD CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS.

SURF...LARGE SWELLS GENERATED BY IRENE ARE AFFECTING PORTIONS OF THE
COAST OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.  THESE SWELLS WILL CAUSE
LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS.

TORNADOES...ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER EXTREME EASTERN
NORTH CAROLINA TODAY.

Irene Forecast track as of 5amedt Aug 27 2011

Irene Forecast track as of 536amedt Aug 27 2011

Irene Forecast track as of 2amedt Aug 27 2011