[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KBRO 252206
HLSBRO
TXZ250-251-260615-

Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 22
National Weather Service Brownsville TX  AL092017
506 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017

This product covers The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas

**Harvey Now A Category 3 Hurricane; Moving Away from the Lower Texas
Coast**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch have been
      cancelled for Coastal Cameron and Coastal Willacy
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Inland
      Cameron and Inland Willacy

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Kenedy
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Brooks

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 90 miles northeast of Port Mansfield TX or about 60 miles
      east-northeast of the Mouth of Baffin Bay
    - 27.5N 96.5W
    - Storm Intensity 125 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 10 mph

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

Hurricane Harvey has sustained winds of 125 MPH and is now a Category
3 hurricane as it moves towards the Middle Texas Coast. Harvey is
expected to make landfall late this evening or early Saturday morning.
Hurricane force winds will continue over the Laguna Madre and offshore
Gulf Waters north of the Port Mansfield cut and across portions of
Kenedy County near the coast. Tropical storm force winds are expected
over the 0 to 60 NM Gulf Waters south of Port Mansfield.

The heavy rainfall threat will continue this evening as rain bands
continue. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for Brooks and Kenedy
counties where 3 to 5 inches with locally higher amounts are expected.

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 1 to 3 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
Kenedy county and along the Barrier Island. 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. 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 Northwestern 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 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 north of Port Mansfield. Remain
well sheltered from life-threatening wind having possible additional
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 Brooks County. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind
having possible limited to extensive impacts.

* TORNADOES:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across The Rio
Grande Valley and Deep South Texas.

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:

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 11 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

Lesko/Castillo
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