[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KLCH 301219
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LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-302030-

Tropical Storm Harvey Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 40A
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL092017
719 AM CDT Wed Aug 30 2017

This product covers SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS

**CENTER OF HARVEY OVER 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 20 miles west-northwest of Lake Charles LA or about 100
      miles southwest of Alexandria LA
    - 30.2N 93.6W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 9 mph

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

As of 7 AM CDT, Tropical Storm Harvey was 20 miles west-northwest of
Lake Charles, Louisiana. Harvey is moving toward the north at 9 mph.
The storm is expected to move north-northeastward later this morning,
and then a northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is expected
through Thursday night.  On this forecast track, the center of Harvey
will exit central Louisiana tonight and will move across the Lower
Mississippi Valley and Tennessee Valley through Thursday.

Widespread catastrophic flooding will continue across southeast Texas
with the potential for flash flooding to increase across extreme southwest
Louisiana and the western part of central Louisiana through Wednesday.
Areas of rain with embedded heavier showers and thunderstorms will continue
west and north of the center of circulation. Isolated tornadoes are also
possible across the area today.

Tropical storm force winds, mainly in the form of gusts, will continue
across Southeast Texas this morning before weakening early in the afternoon.
Across Southwest, South Central, and portions of Central Louisiana,
Tropical storm force wind gusts will continue to develop this morning
and weaken during the late part of the of the afternoon.

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 extreme 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
Interior Southeast Texas and the western half of Central Louisiana.
Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having possible
limited to devastating impacts.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event will continue to develop this
morning across Southwest LOUISIANA and Southeast TEXAS and expand into South
Central and Central LOUISIANA into the afternoon. 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.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
Coastal Louisiana. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to non-elevated structures is possible.
    - Sections of 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, 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 Coastal Southeast Texas. Remain well away from locally
hazardous surge having possible limited impacts.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are elevated today across East Texas
and Southwest, South Central, and Central Louisiana today. 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.

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.

* 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 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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