[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 18
National Weather Service Brownsville TX  AL092017
448 PM CDT Thu Aug 24 2017

This product covers The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas

**Hurricane Harvey Moving Towards the Coastal Bend**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* 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 240 miles east-southeast of Brownsville TX or about 250
      miles east-southeast of Port Mansfield TX
    - 24.7N 93.9W
    - Storm Intensity 85 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 10 mph

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

Harvey remains a category one hurricane late this afternoon. Harvey
will continue to rapidly intensify, becoming a major hurricane by
landfall on Friday near the middle Texas coastline. Harvey is moving
steadily towards the Texas coast and tropical storm force winds will
approach the coastal waters and portions of the Lower Texas coast this
evening. Hurricane force winds are expected across the far offshore
waters as early as Friday morning. These stronger winds will continue
across the coastal waters north of Port Mansfield as Harvey tracks
northwest towards the Coastal Bend Friday. Tropical storm force winds
are likely across portions of the Lower Texas Coast and portions of the
Lower Rio Grande Valley tonight through Friday.

Heavy rainfall is expected in the path of Harvey Thursday night and
Friday as Harvey moves inland. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect
for Brooks and Kenedy counties where 5 to 7 inches with locally higher
amounts exceeding 8 to 10 inches are expected. Elsewhere, 3 to
5 inches with local higher amounts of 7 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 3 to 5 feet is possible across Padre Island
and along the Laguna Madre in Kenedy county. Inundation of 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:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across Brooks and Kenedy counties as well as portions
of the Mid and Lower Rio Grande Valley.

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 the Upper Rio Grande Valley and the
Western Ranchlands.

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

Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

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

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across Coastal areas of Deep South Texas and the Barrier
Island.

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
significant to extensive impacts across the Lower Rio Grande
Valley and Northeastern Ranchlands.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
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.

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

* EVACUATIONS:

Voluntary evacuation is strongly encouraged for high profile and
recreational vehicles of residents and visitors at South Padre Island.
Residents and visitors who may lose powers are also encouraged to
evacuate. All beaches on South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beach will
be closed at 2 PM CDT today until further notice.

Residents and visitors in recreation and high profile vehicles are
encouraged to voluntarily evacuate from Port Isabel.

Voluntary evacuations of recreation and high profile vehicles and
mobile homes and vacation rentals in Port Mansfield are encouraged by
6 PM CDT this evening.

Sandbags are available for residents in most communities. Please
contact your local emergency mangers for details.

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.

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.

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.

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:

School and Business Closures:

Port Isabel ISD Business Office

Catholic Diocese of Brownsville

Brownsville ISD Business Office

IDEA Public Schools: Brownsville, RiverView, and San Benito

Los Fresnos Consolidated ISD

Harlingen Consolidated ISD

Texas State technical College of Harlingen

Cameron County Offices

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.

If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. If
heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter
rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or own a
pet. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit.
Check the latest weather forecast before departing.

Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.

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
-----------

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

$$

Lesko/Castillo
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