[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 20
National Weather Service Brownsville TX  AL092017
500 AM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017

This product covers The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas

**HARVEY CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN WHILE MOVING THROUGH THE FAR OFFSHORE
 COASTAL WATERS TODAY**

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 130 miles east of Brownsville TX or about 130 miles
      east-southeast of Port Mansfield TX
    - 25.9N 95.4W
    - Storm Intensity 105 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 320 degrees at 9 mph

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

Harvey has become a Category Two hurricane overnight with maximum
sustained winds of 105mph. Very little change in forecast thinking has
occurred in recent hours, with Harvey still expected to steadily
intensify, becoming a major hurricane by landfall late Friday night or
very early Saturday morning along the Middle Texas coast. Tropical
storm force winds have begun to overspread the coastal waters and will
be moving into portions of the Lower Texas coast within the next few
hours. Hurricane force winds are expected to move into the far offshore
waters within the next couple of hours as well. These stronger winds
will continue to progress across the coastal waters north of Port
Mansfield. Tropical storm force winds are likely across portions of the
Lower Texas Coast and portions of the Lower Rio Grande Valley through
the daytime hours.

Heavy rainfall threat is expected to continue increasing in the path
of Harvey today as passage of rain bands become more frequent and
intense. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for Brooks and Kenedy
counties where 5 to 7 inches with locally higher amounts expected.
Elsewhere, 3 to 5 inches with locally higher amounts are forecast.

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 locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beaches as
well as the Barrier Island south of Port Mansfield.


* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across coastal areas of Kenedy County 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
the coastal sections of Kenedy, Cameron, and Willacy counties.
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 has been strongly encouraged for high profile and
recreational vehicles of residents and visitors at South Padre Island.
All beaches on South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beach are closed
until further notice.

The Queen Isabella causeway will be closed if sustained winds reach 45
mph.

Voluntary evacuations of recreation and high profile vehicles and
mobile homes and vacation rentals has been encouraged in Port
Mansfield.

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

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.

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.

Do not return to evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and
flood waters abate.

Do not return to evacuated areas until it is safe. Listen for the all-
clear signal from local authorities.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Two shelters have been opened in the city of Port Isabel.

Many Rio Grande Valley area schools and business offices are closed
today.  Check with official sources for details.

Cameron County Offices are closed today.

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 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 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

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