[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KCRP 260007
HLSCRP
TXZ229>234-239>247-260815-

Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 22
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX  AL092017
707 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017

This product covers SOUTH TEXAS

**HARVEY NOW AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE**


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 40 miles east-southeast of Port Aransas TX or about 70
      miles south of Port Oconnor TX
    - 27.5N 96.5W
    - Storm Intensity 125 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 10 mph

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

Hurricane Harvey has strengthened to Category 4 hurricane with
sustained winds of 130 mph with gusts to 160 mph. Harvey will remain
an extremely dangerous major hurricane as it makes landfall between
Port Aransas and Port O'Connor tonight on the Middle Texas coast.

Hurricane force winds have reached the coast early this evening.
The C-MAN station at Port Aransas measured a gust to 103 mph at 630 PM
CDT. Hurricane Harvey will make a direct impact on the communities of
Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, Rockport, Fulton, Lamar, Bayside, Refugio,
Austwell, Tivoli, and Seadrift. Catastrophic impacts will occur where
Harvey makes landfall. Structural damage will occur to sturdy buildings,
some with complete roof and wall failures.

Catastrophic flooding is expected due to heavy rainfall and storm
surge. Heavy rainfall is expected through much of the area with
rainfall totals of 20 to 30 inches with maximum amounts near 40 inches
near and east of a line from near Port Aransas to near Goliad. Outside
that area, amounts of 10 to 20 inches are expected from east of a
Loyola Beach to George West line. Lesser amounts are expected further
west and southwest. These high rainfall amounts will produce
catastrophic and life threatening flash flooding. The heaviest rains
are expected to occur from tonight 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 9 to 13 feet above
ground level from Port Aransas to Port O'Connor. South of Port Aransas,
storm surge is expected to be 4 to 8 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 from Rockport to Port Lavaca.

Tornadoes and waterspouts are possible as rainbands move onshore early
tonight through Saturday, especially north and east of the center of
Harvey.


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

* WIND:
Impacts from wind are now unfolding across Coastal Bend and
Victoria Crossroads. Life threatening wind is expected where Harvey
makes landfall. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind
having devastating impacts. 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.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the surge event are now unfolding across
the Middle Texas coast. Tide levels continue to be from 3 to 5 feet above
MSL this evening from Corpus Christi to Port O'Connor. Tide levels will
quickly increase as Hurricane Harvey moves inland. Water is expected to
reach 9 to 13 feet between Port Aransas and Port O'Connor. Remain well
away from life-threatening surge having devastating impacts. These
impacts 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. When realized, these 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.
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 SOUTH TEXAS, little to no impact is anticipated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:

* EVACUATIONS:
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.

When major hurricanes make landfall, extreme winds bring a tremendous
threat to life and cause devastating to catastrophic damage. During
landfall, listen for extreme wind warnings which indicate the exact
timing and location of these incredible life-threatening winds. If
issued for you area, move to the safest place within your home or
shelter. Take the same life-saving actions as if it were a violent
tornado.


* 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 7 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

Tinsley
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