[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 23
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL092017
1036 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017

This product covers Southeast Texas

**EYE OF CATEGORY 4 HARVEY MAKES LANDFALL BETWEEN PORT ARANSAS AND
PORT O'CONNOR TEXAS**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
      for Chambers and Harris
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Austin, Colorado,
      Fort Bend, Liberty, Waller, and Wharton
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Jackson and Matagorda
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Brazoria and Galveston

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 160 miles west-southwest of Galveston TX or about 70
      miles southwest of Matagorda TX
    - 28.0N 97.0W
    - Storm Intensity 130 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 7 mph

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

Major Hurricane Harvey strengthened to a category 4 hurricane
and has made landfall along the Middle Texas Coast between Port
Aransas and Port O'Connor. The primary impact from Harvey over
Southeast Texas remains prolonged significant heavy rainfall that will
induce extreme widespread flooding through at least the beginning of
next week. Tropical storm force winds, with occasional hurricane force
wind gusts are possible through around noon Saturday for the
southwestern portions of Southeast Texas. With the strongest winds
tonight, storm surge will peak overnight and be slow to recede through
Sunday. Elevated tide levels will continue through Tuesday.
Tornadoes will continue to form overnight tonight, especially across
the coastal counties. Again, the primary emphasis and greatest threat
to life and property will be the extreme rainfall amounts that will
likely lead to a potentially catastrophic and prolonged flash flooding
event over the coming 3 to 5 days.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain will be unfolding across the
southern half of Southeast Texas over the next 3 to 5 days. If 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.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain will be unfolding across the
northern half of Southeast Texas over the next 3 to 5 days. Remain well
guarded against life- threatening flood waters having possible limited
to extensive impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Upper Texas Coast, primarily west of Freeport. The Matagorda Ship
Channel has risen one foot in the last 15 minutes. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge having additional devastating impacts. If realized,
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.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across the Upper Texas Coast east of Freeport including Galveston Bay.
Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having additional limited
to significant impacts.


* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Matagorda Bay. 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 southwestern portion of Southeast Texas. Remain well
sheltered from life-threatening wind having possible limited to
extensive impacts.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Southeast
Texas, especially along the coastal counties. Remain well braced
against a tornado event having additional 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.

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

* 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 Houston/Galveston TX around 430 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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