[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Tue Aug 29 10:47:14 CDT 2017

WTUS84 KLCH 291546
HLSLCH
LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-300000-

Tropical Storm Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 37
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL092017
1046 AM CDT Tue Aug 29 2017

This product covers SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS

**RELENTLESS TORRENTIAL RAINS CONTINUE OVER SOUTHEASTERN TEXAS AND
SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Iberia, Lower St.
      Martin, and St. Mary

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Lower St. Martin
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
      for East Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson, St. Mary, Vermilion, and
      West Cameron

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 110 miles south-southwest of Cameron LA or about 210
      miles west-southwest of Morgan City LA
    - 28.4N 94.3W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 5 mph

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

As of 10 AM CDT, Tropical Storm Harvey was over the Gulf of Mexico
about 150 miles south-southwest of Cameron, Louisiana. Harvey is
moving slowly toward the north-northeast, and this general motion is
expected to continue through Wednesday. Harvey is expected to be just
offshore of the upper Texas coast through tonight, then inland along
the southwest Louisiana coast between Cameron and Sabine Pass early
Wednesday.

Widespread catastrophic flooding will continue across southeast Texas
with the flash flood risk increasing across portions of southwest and
south central Louisiana through Wednesday. Areas of rain with embedded
heavier showers and thunderstorms north and northeast of the center
will continue to develop and track northward across the area today and
tonight. Isolated tornadoes are also be possible, especially over the
coastal counties and parishes.

Tropical storm force winds, mainly in the form of gusts, are expected
to spread across coastal Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana by
late Tuesday afternoon as the center nears the coast.

Storm surge of 1 to 3 feet above ground level will be possible along
the coast through Wednesday, primarily around the times of
astronomical high tides.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having additional 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.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Central and South Central Louisiana. Remain well guarded against life-
threatening flood waters having additional limited to devastating
impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal Southeast Texas and southwest and south central Louisiana.
Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having additional limited
impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
      immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
      farther inland along rivers and bayous that drain into the Gulf.
    - Sections of roads and parking lots near bodies of water may
      become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions
      dangerous in places where surge water covers the road.
    - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
      in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
    - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, and piers.
      A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Elsewhere across southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas, little to no
impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. Remain well sheltered from
hazardous wind having possible limited impacts. If realized, these
impacts include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across southwest
Louisiana and southeast Texas. Remain well braced against a tornado
event having possible 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:
Check-in with your emergency points of contact among family, friends,
and workmates. Inform them of your status and well-being. Let them
know how you intend to ride out the storm and when you plan to
check-in again.

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.

* 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 Lake Charles LA around 1 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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