[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS84 KEWX 250926
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TXZ173-189>194-205>209-220>225-251730-

Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 20
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX  AL092017
426 AM CDT Fri Aug 25 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 340 miles south-southeast of Austin TX or about 310 miles
      southeast of San Antonio TX
    - 25.9N 95.4W
    - Storm Intensity 105 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 320 degrees at 9 mph

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

Harvey is still moving slowly northwestward in the Gulf of Mexico,
currently as a category 2 hurricane, and continuing to strengthen as it
approaches the Texas coastline. This northwestward movement is
expected to continue and Harvey should make landfall Saturday morning.
Confidence remains high in a major rainfall event taking place across
much of South Central Texas, in addition to some locations closer to
the coast experiencing hurricane force and tropical storm force winds.

At this stage, life-threatening rainfall and flash flooding appears
imminent for much of South Central Texas, specifically from San
Antonio and areas south and east, along the Interstate 37 and
Interstate 10 corridors. 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.
Harvey is expected to stall or move very slowly over the area.
Devastating river flooding is also very likely 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:
Prepare for 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.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for 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:
Prepare for isolated tornadoes having possible limited impacts across
east of I-35. 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 11 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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