[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Tue Aug 25 16:32:52 CDT 2020

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LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-260600-

Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 24
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL132020
432 PM CDT Tue Aug 25 2020

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**Hurricane Laura Expected To Strengthen Into A Major Hurricane
Before Landfall Wednesday Night Or Thursday Morning**

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

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Acadia, Calcasieu, East Cameron, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis,
      Orange, Vermilion, and West Cameron
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Allen, Beauregard,
      Evangeline, Hardin, Northern Jasper, Northern Newton, Rapides,
      Southern Jasper, Southern Newton, Tyler, and Vernon
    - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane
      Watch are in effect for Iberia, Lower St. Martin, and St. Mary
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Avoyelles, Lafayette,
      St. Landry, and Upper St. Martin

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 480 miles southeast of Sabine Pass TX or about 470 miles
      southeast of Cameron LA or about 420 miles southeast of
      Intracoastal City LA or about 390 miles south-southeast of
      Morgan City LA or about 480 miles southeast of Lake Charles LA
      or about 500 miles southeast of Port Arthur TX
    - 24.7N 88.3W
    - Storm Intensity 80 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 17 mph

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

At 4 PM CDT, the center of Hurricane Laura was located near latitude
24.7 North, longitude 88.3 West. Laura is moving toward the
west-northwest near 17 mph, and this general motion should continue
tonight. A turn toward the northwest is forecast by Wednesday, and
a northwestward to north-northwestward motion should continue
through Wednesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Laura
will move across the central Gulf of Mexico tonight and the
northwestern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday. The hurricane should approach
the Upper Texas and Southwest Louisiana coasts on Wednesday night and
move inland near those areas late Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

Showers and thunderstorms ahead of the center will begin to overspread
southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas during Wednesday, with an
increasing risk of localized flash flooding. Isolated tornadoes will
also be possible, especially over southwest Louisiana.

Tropical storm force winds are expected to spread across southwest
Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon and southeast Texas by Wednesday
evening. Hurricane force winds, especially in frequent gusts, will be
likely beginning Wednesday night across southwest Louisiana and
southeast Texas continuing into Thursday morning up into upper
southeast Texas and west central Louisiana.

Storm surge of 7 to 13 feet above ground level will be possible along
the coast through Thursday afternoon, along and to the east of where
the center comes ashore. Also a significant surge will occur up the
lower Neches, Sabine, Calcasieu, Mermentau, and Vermilion River
basins.

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

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible devastating
impacts across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. Potential
impacts in this area include:
    - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly
      accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to
      buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded
      from considerable floating debris. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely
      flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed
      or overtopped.
    - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible.
    - Massive damage to marinas, docks, and piers. Numerous small
      craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and
      stranded.

Also, protect against life-threatening surge having possible
significant to extensive impacts across South Central Louisiana.

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across Southeast Texas, Southwest and West Central Louisiana.
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 and access routes
      impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.

Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible
significant to extensive impacts across South Central and East
Central Louisiana.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana.
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.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across Central and South Central Louisiana.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Potential 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:
WATCH/WARNING PHASE - Listen to local official for recommended
preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to
evacuate, do so immediately.

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - Let others know where you are going prior to
departure. Secure loose items and pets in the car, and avoid
distracted driving.

* 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.

Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.

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

Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

* 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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