[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS84 KEWX 241529
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Tropical Storm Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 16
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX  AL092017
1029 AM CDT Thu Aug 24 2017

This product covers SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS

**Tropical Storm Harvey to bring a significant life-threatening heavy
 rainfall event to South Central Texas**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Bastrop, Bexar,
      Caldwell, Fayette, and Guadalupe
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been upgraded to a Hurricane
      Warning for De Witt and Karnes

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Atascosa, Bastrop,
      Bexar, Caldwell, Fayette, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Lavaca, and
      Wilson
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for De Witt and Karnes

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 490 miles southeast of San Antonio TX or about 430 miles
      southeast of Cuero TX
    - 24.0N 93.3W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 10 mph

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

Tropical Storm Harvey continues moving slowly northwestward in the
Gulf of Mexico. This northwestward movement is expected to continue and
Harvey should approach the middle Texas coast Friday afternoon into
Saturday. Confidence continues to increase for tropical storm winds and
a significant heavy rainfall event across South Central Texas
beginning Friday afternoon and continuing through the weekend. Flash
flooding and river flooding continue to be the main concerns, mainly
within the Tropical Storm Warning and Flash Flood Watch areas.

Storm total rainfall amounts from Friday through Monday afternoon
could be in the 8 to 15 inch range east of Interstate 35 with isolated
totals in excess of 20 inches possible over areas south of Interstate
10 as Harvey is expected to stall over the area. Devastating mainstem
river flooding is possible east of Interstate 35 and south of
Interstate 10.

Additionally, hurricane force winds of 70 to 80 mph will be possible
for the counties within the Hurricane Warning, while 40 to 50 mph
winds with some gusts to 60 mph will be possible for areas within the
Tropical Storm Warning. The timing of these winds look to arrive Friday
night through Saturday morning. There is a low risk of brief tornadoes
east of Interstate 35 and south of Interstate 10 Friday evening into
the weekend associated with tropical rain bands.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across east of Interstate 35 and south of Interstate
10. Potential impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
      ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
      destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
      increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
      control systems and barriers may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
      Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
      underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
      Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts across areas along and east of Interstate 35.

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across areas in the Tropical Storm and Hurricane Warnings
mainly east of Interstate 35. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof
      and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage
      greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations
      may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
    - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.

Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible limited
to extensive impacts across areas along the I-35 corridor.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
areas within the Tropical Storm and Hurricane Warnings. 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 SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS, little to no impact is
anticipated.

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

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

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.

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.

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 Austin/San Antonio TX around 5 PM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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