[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KEWX 251831
HLSEWX
TXZ173-189>194-205>209-220>225-260245-

Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 21A
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX  AL092017
131 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017

This product covers SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS

**Hurricane Harvey expected to bring a life-threatening and
 catastrophic heavy rainfall event east of Interstate 35
 and Interstate 37**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Atascosa, Bastrop,
      Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Fayette, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays,
      Lavaca, and Wilson
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for De Witt and Karnes

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 210 miles southeast of San Antonio TX or about 150 miles
      south-southeast of Cuero TX
    - 27.1N 96.3W
    - Storm Intensity 110 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 10 mph

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

Harvey is still moving slowly northwestward in the Gulf of Mexico,
currently as a strong 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, a life-threatening and catastrophic heavy rainfall
event appears imminent for much of South Central Texas east of
Interstate 35 and Interstate 37. This could lead to significant flash
flooding across these areas. Average storm total rainfall amounts of
10 to 20 inches are expected east of Interstate 35 and Interstate
37 today through Tuesday. Isolated higher amounts in excess of
25 inches are possible near and south of the Interstate 10 corridor.

For the Interstate 35 corridor and the eastern Hill Country, including
the cities of San Antonio and Austin 6 to 12 inches are forecast with
isolated higher amounts.

Harvey is expected to stall or move very slowly over the area. With
these forecasted rainfall amounts catastrophic river flooding is also
very likely east of Interstate 35 and south of Interstate 10 in the
Colorado, Guadalupe, and San Antonio river basins.

Additionally, hurricane force winds of 70 to 80 mph will be possible
for the counties within the Hurricane Warning. 40 to 50 mph winds with
some gusts to 60 mph, in the tropical rain bands, will be possible for
areas within the Tropical Storm Warning including San Antonio and San
Marcos. The Austin area could see winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to
40mph within rain bands. 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:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across 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.

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

* WIND:
Protect against 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:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
areas east of Interstate 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 5PM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net