[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 24
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL132020
418 PM CDT Tue Aug 25 2020

This product covers Southeast Texas

**LAURA MOVING WEST-NORTHWESTWARD ACROSS THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Fort Bend, Grimes,
      Houston, Inland Brazoria, Inland Harris, Madison, Montgomery,
      San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
      for Brazoria Islands
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Chambers, Coastal Galveston, Coastal Harris, Galveston Island
      and Bolivar Peninsula, and Southern Liberty
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Inland Galveston, Northern
      Liberty, and Polk
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Coastal Brazoria

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 510 miles southeast of Galveston TX
    - 24.7N 88.3W
    - Storm Intensity 80 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 17 mph

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

Hurricane Laura continues to move through the southern Gulf of Mexico.
As of 4 PM CDT, Laura is moving west-northwest around 17 MPH with
maximum winds of 80 MPH. Laura will be moving through an environment
with favorable conditions for strengthening and is expected to become a
major hurricane by landfall Wednesday night in either southwest
Louisiana or Southeast Texas. Hurricane warnings continue in effect in
the Galveston Bay area, as well as Polk County. A tropical storm
warning covers much of the rest of Southeast Texas east of the Brazos
River. The track may have additional adjustments today and tonight as
Laura continues to strengthen over the Gulf of Mexico. This may
require additional warnings further down the Southeast Texas Gulf
Coast.

Specific impacts will be strongly dependent on the exact track and
intensity of the storm when it makes landfall. Stay alert to the latest
forecast information!

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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible extensive impacts
across the Bolivar Peninsula. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding
      accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings,
      with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating
      debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads
      washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and
      barriers may become stressed.
    - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.
    - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many
      small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.

Also, prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across the rest of the Galveston Bay area.

Also, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across the rest of the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast to Matagorda
Bay.

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts
across the eastern Galveston Bay area. 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.

Also, prepare for life-threatening wind having possible limited to
extensive impacts across the western Galveston Bay area and down
the Texas Gulf Coast to Matagorda Bay.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across the Galveston Bay area and Pineywoods.
Potential impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
      become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
      Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
      underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
      Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to
significant impacts across the rest of Southeast Texas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.

For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind,
falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move,
relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help keep
roadways open for those under evacuation orders.

If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra time
to get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your vehicle
ahead of time.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.

If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter
rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have
pets. Be sure to check with local officials for the latest information
as shelter rules and procedures may be different this year! Take
essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit.

It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an
emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.

* 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 10 PM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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