[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 19
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX  AL092017
1022 PM CDT Thu Aug 24 2017

This product covers SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS

**Hurricane Harvey expected to bring a life-threatening heavy rainfall
 event across South Central Texas**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* 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 400 miles south-southeast of Austin TX or about 310 miles
      south-southeast of Cuero TX
    - 25.2N 94.6W
    - Storm Intensity 85 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 315 degrees at 10 mph

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

Harvey continues to slowly strengthen and remains a Category One
Hurricane. Harvey is still moving slowly northwestward in the Gulf of
Mexico. This northwestward movement is expected to continue and Harvey
should approach the Texas coast late Friday 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 Tuesday. Flash flooding and river flooding
continue to be the main concerns, mainly within the Tropical Storm
Warning and Flash Flood Watch areas.

Hurricane Harvey will produce a life-threatening heavy rainfall event.
Storm total rainfall amounts from Friday through Tuesday could be in
the 10 to 20 inch range along and east of Interstate 35 with isolated
totals in excess of 25 inches possible over areas south of Interstate
10. Harvey is expected to stall or move very slowly 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
devastating impacts across areas along and east of I-35 and along and
south of I-10. Potential impacts include:
    - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks
      in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,
      canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In
      mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while
      increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
      control systems and barriers may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape
      routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water
      with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very
      dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened
      or washed out.

Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
limited to extensive impacts across the Flash Flood Watch area.

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across the Hurricane and Tropical Storm warned areas.
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:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across SOUTH CENTRAL
TEXAS.

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 4 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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