[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Tue Aug 29 19:42:32 CDT 2017

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LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-300845-

Tropical Storm Harvey Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 38A
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL092017
742 PM CDT Tue Aug 29 2017

This product covers SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS

**HARVEY CRAWLING TOWARD THE COAST DUMPING CATASTROPHIC RAINS OVER
SOUTHEASTERN TEXAS AND SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 85 miles south-southwest of Cameron LA or about 85 miles
      south of Port Arthur TX
    - 28.7N 93.9W
    - Storm Intensity 50 mph
    - Movement East or 90 degrees at 6 mph

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

As of 7 PM CDT, Tropical Storm Harvey was over the Gulf of Mexico
about 85 miles south of Port Arthur, Texas. Harvey has been moving
toward the east at around 6 mph, but a northeast movement is expected
to resume later tonight and continue on Wednesday. The center of Harvey
is expected to move inland over the northwestern Gulf Coast within the
tropical storm warning area early Wednesday.

Widespread catastrophic flooding will continue across southeast Texas
with the potential for flash flooding to increase 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. 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
tonight as the center nears the coast.

Storm surge of 2 to 4 feet above ground level can be expected along
the coast from Holly Beach east to Morgan City, with surge of 1 to
3 feet above ground level expected west of Holly Beach through
Wednesday. Surge will be highest around the times of astronomical high
tides.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
East 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 possible limited to devastating
impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
Coastal Southeast Texas and Coastal Louisiana. Remain well away from
locally hazardous surge having possible 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 additional 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 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:

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos. Be wise and avoid becoming another statistic.

* 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 11 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

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