[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Special Advisory Number 17
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL092017
118 PM CDT Thu Aug 24 2017

This product covers Southeast Texas

**HARVEY RAPIDLY INTENSIFYING**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge
      Warning for Galveston

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
      for Chambers and Harris
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Austin, Colorado,
      Fort Bend, Liberty, Waller, and Wharton
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Jackson and Matagorda
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Brazoria and Galveston

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 340 miles south-southeast of Galveston TX or about 330
      miles south-southeast of Port O'Connor TX
    - 24.4N 93.6W
    - Storm Intensity 85 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 335 degrees at 10 mph

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

Harvey has intensified into a hurricane early this afternoon. Harvey
is expected to continue to strengthen possibly becoming a major
hurricane on Friday before landfall. At this point, Harvey could become
a high end category 3 hurricane. The primary impact from Harvey
remains heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding for southeast Texas.
There is also the threat for tropical storm to hurricane force winds
and storm surge along the coast. The most likely arrival time for
tropical storm force winds to reach the upper Texas coast is during the
day on Friday. Since the wind fields have expanded in Harvey, higher
storm surge can be expected up the Texas coast.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across much of Southeast Texas. 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, and ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. 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.

Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to
significant impacts across extreme northern portions of Southeast
Texas.

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible devastating impacts
from Matagorda Bay, Port O'Connor to San Luis Pass. Potential impacts
in this area include:
    - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly
      accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to
      buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded
      from considerable floating debris. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or
      severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become
      stressed.
    - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible.
    - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted
      onshore and stranded.

Also, prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
to extensive impacts across areas from San Luis Pass to High Island
including Galveston Island.

Also, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across Galveston Bay.

Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts
across Jackson and Matagorda counties. 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.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
much of Southeast Texas. 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 Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
WATCH/WARNING PHASE - For those under evacuation orders, leave as
soon as practical with a destination in mind. Gas up your vehicle
well ahead of time. Be sure that you take all essential materials
from your emergency supplies kit. Let others know where you are going
and when you intend to arrive.

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - 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.

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - For those not under evacuation orders,
understand that there are inherent risks to evacuation (such as
traffic congestion, accidents, and driving in bad weather), so
evacuate only if necessary. Help keep roadways open for those that
are under evacuation orders.

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - 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.

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - 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 check your emergency plan and take necessary
actions to secure your home or business. Deliberate efforts should be
underway to protect life and property. Ensure that your Emergency
Supplies Kit is stocked and ready.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties
which must be taken into account.

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.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley or canyon, or near an already swollen
river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground

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.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be conducted
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds and heavy rain can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.

Be sure to let friends and other family members know of your
intentions and whereabouts for surviving the storm. For emergency
purposes, have someone located away from the threatened area serve as
your point of contact. Share vital contact information with others.
Keep cell phones handy and well charged.

Be a Good Samaritan and check on those who may not be fully aware of
the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations.

Visitors to the area should become familiar with nearby surroundings.
If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which
you are located and where it is relative to current watches and
warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their
onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially
pertaining to area visitors.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Listen for 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 Houston/Galveston TX around 430 PM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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