[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KCRP 250334
HLSCRP
TXZ229>234-239>247-251145-

Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 19
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX  AL092017
1034 PM CDT Thu Aug 24 2017

This product covers SOUTH TEXAS

**HARVEY EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN AS IT MOVES TOWARDS THE TEXAS COAST**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Aransas, Calhoun, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, and
      Victoria
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Duval and McMullen
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Bee, Goliad, Jim Wells,
      and Live Oak

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 240 miles southeast of Port Aransas TX or about 250 miles
      south-southeast of Port Oconnor TX
    - 25.2N 94.6W
    - Storm Intensity 85 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 315 degrees at 10 mph

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

Hurricane Harvey is expected to continue to strengthen as it moves
toward the Texas coast this evening through Friday. Harvey is
currently a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to reach Category
3 status prior to landfall. Tropical storm force winds are expected to
reach coastal areas of the Coastal Bend as early as Friday morning.
Hurricane force winds will be possible as early as Friday afternoon.

Heavy rainfall is expected through much of the area with rainfall
totals of 15 to 25 inches east of Interstate 37 with isolated amounts
around 35 inches possible. Lesser amounts are expected further west
and southwest. These numbers and locations are subject to change
depending on the exact location of landfall along the Texas coast.
These high rainfall amounts will likely produce flash flooding. The
heaviest rains are expected to occur from Friday afternoon through
Saturday night and possibly into early next week.

Peak Storm surge inundation is generally expected to be 6 to 12 feet
above ground level from the north entrance of the Padre Island
National Seashore northward to Port O Connor. South of the north
entrance of Padre Island National Seashore storm surge is generally
expected to be 5 to 7 feet above ground level. Impacts would be felt
along the barrier islands and into the inland bays and waterways.
Isolated locations could see slightly higher inundation.

Tornadoes are possible as rainbands move onshore late tonight through
Saturday, especially north and east of the center of Harvey.

Mandatory evacuations have been issued for the following areas:
 - The city of Port Aransas
 - Aransas County
 - Refugio County
 - San Patricio County
 - Victoria County
 - Calhoun County
 - Kleberg County

CHRISTUS Spohn Health System to close certain locations:
 - CLOSED: Robstown, Northside, Westside, Padre Island, Freer,
   Beeville, Dr. Hector P. Garcia, and Memorial Quick Care
   (Reopen Monday, August 28).

 - CLOSED: CHRISTUS Physician Group physician practices.
 - ABBREVIATED WORK SCHEDULE: Promptu Clinics will operate a shortened
   schedule on Friday, August 25.

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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible devastating
impacts across the Middle Texas Coast and Barrier Islands.
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.

Elsewhere across SOUTH TEXAS, little to no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts
across the Coastal Bend and Victoria Crossroads are. Potential impacts
in these areas 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, prepare for life-threatening wind having possible significant
to extensive impacts across the Brush Country.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across the Coastal Bend and Victoria Crossroads
area. 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, and ditches may become raging rivers. 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.

Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
limited to extensive impacts across the Texas Brush Country.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
the Northeastern portions of the Coastal Bend as well as the
Victoria Crossroads region. 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 TEXAS, little to no impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
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.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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.

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 Corpus Christi TX around 130 AM or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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