[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KCRP 251810
HLSCRP
TXZ229>234-239>247-260215-

Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 21A
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX  AL092017
110 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017

This product covers SOUTH TEXAS

**STRONG CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE HARVEY MOVING TOWARD THE MIDDLE 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 70 miles southeast of Port Aransas TX or about 90 miles
      south of Port Oconnor TX
    - 27.1N 96.3W
    - Storm Intensity 110 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 10 mph

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

Hurricane Harvey is expected to strengthen as it moves toward the Middle
Texas Coast through tonight. Harvey is a strong Category 2 hurricane, with
sustained winds of 110 mph. Harvey is expected to reach Category 3 status
later today. Tropical storm force wind gusts are occurring early this
afternoon over the coastal counties with wind gusts above 50 mph. Tropical
storm conditions exist over the coastal waters with wind gusts approaching
70 mph. Hurricane force winds will be possible early this evening
along the coast.

Heavy rainfall is expected through much of the area with rainfall
totals of 20 to 30 inches near, north and east of a line from near
Port Aransas to near Goliad. Outside that area, amounts of 10 to
20 inches are expected from near and east of a Loyola Beach to George
West line. 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, as well as how long
Harvey meanders over South Texas. These high rainfall amounts will
produce devastating and life threatening flash flooding. The heaviest
rains are expected to occur from late this afternoon through Sunday
morning, and quite possibly into early next week depending on how long
Harvey remains over the area.

Peak storm surge inundation is expected to be 6 to 12 feet above
ground level from Mustang Island to Port O'Connor. South of Mustang
Island, storm surge is expected to be 4 to 6 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 and waterspouts are possible as rainbands move onshore early
this morning 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
  - Eastern Kleberg County (Baffin Bay, Loyola Beach and Rivera Beach
    and areas east)

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
-----------------

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across all of the Coastal Bend and Victoria Crossroads area.
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 eastern Brush Country
counties of McMullen and Duval.

* SURGE:
Protect against 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.


* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against catastrophic and 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.

Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
limited to extensive impacts across the remainder of South Texas.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across areas near and east of a Corpus Christi to Beeville line.
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 possible with a
destination in mind. 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.

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.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
All preparations to protect life and property should be completed in
accordance with your emergency plan.

Outside preparations should be wrapped up as weather conditions
will continue to deteriorate through the day. Any remaining evacuations
and relocations should be expedited as tropical storm force winds are
impacting the coastal counties.

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.

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.


* 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 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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