[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 21
National Weather Service Brownsville TX  AL092017
1111 AM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017

This product covers The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas

**Hurricane Harvey Moving Northwest Through the Offshore Gulf Waters**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Watch has been cancelled for Coastal Cameron and
      Coastal Willacy

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Brooks, Inland
      Cameron, and Inland Willacy
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge 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 100 miles east-northeast of Brownsville TX or about 90
      miles east of Port Mansfield TX
    - 26.7N 96.0W
    - Storm Intensity 110 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 315 degrees at 10 mph

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

Harvey remains a Category Two hurricane this morning as it continues
to move northwest around 10 MPH. Hurricane force winds are ongoing
over the far offshore Gulf waters north of Port Mansfield with tropical
storm force winds nearshore and over portions of Padre Island.
Tropical storm force wind gusts are likely across the coastal counties
and portions of the Lower Rio Grande Valley through Friday evening. The
central pressure in Harvey is still dropping and Harvey is expected to
intensify to a major hurricane by landfall late Friday night or very
early Saturday morning along the Middle Texas coast.

The heavy rainfall threat will continue today as 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 are 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 north of Port
Mansfield. Inundation of 2 to 4 feet is possible along the South Padre
and Boca Chica beaches as well as along the Willacy county coast.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Brooks and Kenedy counties as well as portions of the Lower and Mid
Rio Grande Valley. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood
waters having possible extensive impacts.

If realized,these 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.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the Northwest Ranchlands. Remain well guarded against dangerous flood
waters having possible limited to significant impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
Kenedy county and along the Barrier Island. Remain well away from
life- threatening surge having possible significant impacts.

If realized, these impacts 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.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beaches as well as the
Barrier Island south of Port Mansfield. Remain well away from locally
hazardous surge having possible limited impacts.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Kenedy County and the Barrier Island. Remain well sheltered from life-
threatening wind having possible devastating impacts.

If realized, these impacts 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.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Northeastern Ranchlands. Remain
well sheltered from life-threatening wind having possible limited to
extensive impacts.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Kenedy,
Cameron, and Willacy counties. Remain well braced against a tornado
event having possible limited impacts.

If realized, these 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 evacuations for high profile and recreational vehicles of
residents and visitors at South Padre Island should have been
completed. All beaches on South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beach are
closed until further notice.

Voluntary evacuations of recreation and high profile vehicles and
mobile homes and vacation rentals in Port Mansfield should have been
completed.

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

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

The Queen Isabella Causeway will be closed if sustained winds reach 45
mph. The eastbound lane on Queen Isabella Causeway is now closed.

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.

Now is the time to remain safely sheltered from the storm. Stay inside
and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you
lose electrical power. Locate your battery powered radio and flashlight
from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Keep these items close.

During the peak of the storm, keep your shoes on and rain gear handy.
Boots and tennis shoes offer the best foot protection if you become
unexpectedly exposed to the elements.

Continue to keep your cell phone well charged for as long as
possible. If you lose power, use it more sparingly and mainly for
personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not overload communications
systems with idle chatter.

Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane. Within the
eye, weather conditions may temporarily improve which can be
misleading. Once the eye passes, the wind will change direction and
return to dangerous speeds. Heavy rain will also return. Be smart and
remain safely hidden from the storm.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos. Be wise and avoid becoming another statistic.

Be ready to move to the identified safe room if your home or shelter
begins to fail. Quickly move to an interior room on the lowest floor.
Put as many sturdy walls between you and the storm as you can.
Protect your head and body.

* 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 5 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

Lesko/Castillo
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