[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Thu Aug 24 06:19:44 CDT 2017

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Tropical Storm Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 15
National Weather Service Brownsville TX  AL092017
619 AM CDT Thu Aug 24 2017

This product covers The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas

**Tropical Storm Harvey Gaining Strength, Moving Faster**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Brooks, Inland
      Cameron, and Inland Willacy
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Watch
      and the Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical
      Storm Warning and a Storm Surge Watch have been issued for
      Coastal Cameron and Coastal Willacy
    - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning
      and the Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge
      Warning for Kenedy

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Brooks, Inland
      Cameron, and Inland Willacy
    - A Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Watch, and Hurricane
      Watch are in effect for Coastal Cameron and Coastal Willacy
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Kenedy

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 350 miles east-southeast of Brownsville TX or about 370
      miles southeast of Port Mansfield TX
    - 23.2N 92.8W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 10 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Tropical Storm Harvey has strengthen overnight and continues to show
steady organization this morning. NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter
aircraft have been investigating the storm all night and found a
larger wind field, steadily fall central pressure and detected a faster
forward motion. Due to the increase in forward speed and forecast for
continued intensification today through Friday Hurricane and Tropical
Warnings have been issued.

The faster motion and larger wind field could result in Tropical Storm
force winds approaching coastal waters and portions of the Lower Texas
coast as early as late this evening and overnight with some small
probability of portions of the Lower Rio Grande Valley seeing some
Tropical Storm wind gusts after midnight Friday morning. The more
likely time for tropical storm force winds will be during the day
Friday.

A voluntary evacuation declaration for high profile and recreational
vehicles has been issued for residents and visitors at South Padre
Island. Also county beach access 3 to 6 and Boca Chica beach are
closed until further notice.

Heavy rainfall is expected in the path of Harvey Tonight and Friday
and once Harvey moves inland Friday night and Saturday. A Flash Flood
Watch has been issued for Brooks and Kenedy counties where 3 to 5
inches with locally higher amounts exceeding 6 inches are expected.
Elsewhere, 2 to 4 inches with local higher amounts of 5 inches. The
Flash Flood watch could be expanded into portions of the Rio Grande
Valley if the track of Harvey varies slightly to the west.

Storm surge inundation of up to 7 feet is possible across Padre Island
and along the Laguna Madre in Kenedy county. 2 to 4 feet is possible
along the South Padre and Boca Chica beach as well as along the Willacy
county coast.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across Brooks and Kenedy counties as well as portions of the
Mid and Lower Rio Grande Valley

    . 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,
      arroyos, and ditches 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
      become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across the Upper Rio Grande Valley and the Western
Ranchlands.

* WIND:
Prepare for against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across Coastal areas of Deep South Texas and the Barrier Island

   . Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
      Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
      access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across the mid and lower Rio Grande Valley.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive
impacts across Kenedy county and along the Barrier Island.

   . Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding
      accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings,
      with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating
      debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads
      washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and
      barriers may become stressed.
    - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.
    - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many
      small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.

Also, protect against life-threatening surge having possible
significant impacts across South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beaches as
well as the Barrier Island north of South Padre Island and south of
Port Mansfield.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across portions of the Laguna Madre near South Padre Island.

Elsewhere across The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas, little
to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
portions of Kenedy county. 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.

Elsewhere across The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas, little
to no impact is anticipated at this time.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:

If evacuating the area, stick to prescribed evacuation routes. Look
for additional traffic information on roadway smart signs and listen to
select radio channels for further travel instructions. Drivers should
not use cell phones while operating vehicles.

If you are exceptionally vulnerable to wind or water hazards from
tropical systems, consider voluntary evacuation, especially if being
officially recommended. Relocate to a predetermined shelter or safe
destination.

If evacuating away from the area or relocating to a nearby shelter,
leave early before weather conditions become hazardous.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Now is the time to bring to completion all preparations to protect
life and property in accordance with your emergency plan.

If you live in a place that is particularly vulnerable to high wind,
such as a mobile home, an upper floor of a high rise building, or on
a boat, plan to move to safe shelter. Take enough supplies for you
and your family for several days.

Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders
that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives
of others.

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 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 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
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Brownsville TX around 11am CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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