[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KEWX 260558
HLSEWX
TXZ173-189>194-205>209-220>225-261400-

Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 23A
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX  AL092017
1258 AM CDT Sat Aug 26 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 Hurricane Warning is in effect for De Witt and Karnes
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Atascosa, Bastrop,
      Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Fayette, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays,
      Lavaca, and Wilson

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 150 miles south-southeast of Austin TX or about 130 miles
      southeast of San Antonio TX
    - 28.2N 97.0W
    - Storm Intensity 125 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 6 mph

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

Harvey has made landfall along the middle Texas coast as a category 4
hurricane. Confidence remains high in a life-threatening and
catastrophic rainfall event taking place across much of South Central
Texas along and east Interstate 35, with some locations closer to the
Gulf Coast experiencing hurricane force and tropical storm force winds.

Average storm total rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches are expected
east of Interstate 35 and Interstate 37 today through Tuesday. For the
Interstate 35 corridor and the eastern Hill Country including the
cities of San Antonio and Austin, 8 to 15 inches are forecast with
isolated higher amounts. Isolated higher amounts in excess of
30 inches are possible near and south of the Interstate 10 corridor.

Harvey is expected to stall or move very slowly over the area through
the weekend into at least early next week. These rainfall amounts
through Tuesday will make catastrophic flash and river flooding very
likely east of Interstate 35 and south of Interstate 10 in the
Colorado, Guadalupe, and San Antonio river basins.

Hurricane force winds of 70 to 80 mph will also 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
40 mph within rain bands. The timing of these winds will arrive
tonight and continue through into Sunday. There is also a low risk of
brief tornadoes east of Interstate 35 and south of Interstate
10 tonight into the weekend associated with tropical rain bands.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts along and east of I-35 and I-37 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 east of
I-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:

Keep cell phones well charged and handy. Also, cell phone chargers for
automobiles can be helpful after the storm. Locate your chargers and
keep them with your cell phone.

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.

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

* 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

* 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 5 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

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