[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Sat Aug 26 04:44:42 CDT 2017

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Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 24
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL092017
444 AM CDT Sat Aug 26 2017

This product covers Southeast Texas

**HARVEY MOVING SLOWLY INLAND OVER SOUTH TEXAS AND IS EXPECTED TO
PRODUCE CATASTROPHIC FLOODING OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm
      Warning has been issued for Jackson and Matagorda

* 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 Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Brazoria, Galveston, Jackson, and Matagorda

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 160 miles west-southwest of Galveston TX or about 70
      miles west of Matagorda TX
    - 28.5N 97.2W
    - Storm Intensity 100 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 6 mph

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

Hurricane Harvey has weakened to a Category 2 as it continues to
push inland along the Middle Texas Coast. 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. Flash flooding has already begun across
the southwestern portion of Southeast Texas. Tropical storm force
winds are possible through around noon Saturday for the southwestern
portions of Southeast Texas. With the strongest winds tonight, storm
surge will be slow to recede through Sunday, particularly west of
Freeport. Elevated tide levels will continue through Tuesday.
Tornadoes will continue to form this morning, especially across the
coastal counties and first inland tier. 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 continue to unfold
across Southeast Texas over the next 3 to 5 days. Remain well guarded
against life-threatening flood waters having possible catastrophic
impacts. 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.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
the Matagorda Bay area. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening
wind having possible extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
      Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
      access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with 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.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Upper Texas Coast, primarily west of Freeport. Remain well away
from life-threatening surge having possible devastating 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 the Upper Texas Coast east of Freeport. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across northern Galveston and Trinity Bay. Remain well away from locally
hazardous surge having possible limited impacts.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Southeast
Texas, particularly across the coastal and second tier counties. Remain
well braced against tornadoes 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:

IMMINENT/ONGOING PHASE - 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 730 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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