[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 25
National Weather Service Shreveport LA  AL132020
1031 PM CDT Tue Aug 25 2020

This product covers ArkLaTex

**Laura Continues to Strengthen across the Central Gulf of Mexico
and is Expected to Become a Major Hurricane as it Makes Landfall
Wednesday Night**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Bienville, Bossier,
      Caddo, Caldwell, Cherokee, Claiborne, De Soto, Grant, Gregg,
      Harrison, Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Marion, Ouachita, Panola,
      Red River, Rusk, Union, Upshur, Webster, and Winn
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Angelina, Nacogdoches,
      Natchitoches, Sabine, Sabine, San Augustine, and Shelby
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Smith and Wood

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 500 miles south-southeast of Natchitoches LA
    - 25.2N 89.5W
    - Storm Intensity 90 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 17 mph

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

Hurricane Laura continues to move west northwest across the warm
waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and is expected to strengthen into a
major hurricane as it approaches the coast of Southwest Louisiana and
Southeast Texas on Wednesday. Laura is expected to make landfall
Wednesday night near the Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana
border and remain a hurricane despite weakening as it moves farther
inland, eventually becoming a tropical storm as it moves north across
East Texas and Western Louisiana. With the relatively quick movement
of the system inland, damaging wind gusts, inland flooding, and
isolated tornadoes are expected across the area.

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across Deep East Texas and West Central Louisiana. Potential
impacts in this area include:

- Roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window,
  door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged. Damage accentuated
  by airborne projectiles.
    - Many large trees uprooted along with fences and roadway
      signs blown over. Downed trees will become more common as
      the ground gets saturated with heavy rain.
    - Some roads impassable from debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across the remainder of locations in
North Louisiana and East Texas, generally along and south of the
Interstate Twenty corridor.

    - Limited roof and shingle damage possible.
    - Large branches downed and some trees uprooted. Downed trees
      will become more common as the ground gets saturated with
      heavy rain.
    - Some roads may become blocked by downed trees.
    - Scattered areas with power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across much of East Texas, North Louisiana, and
Southwest Arkansas. Potential impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Small streams, creeks, bayous, and ditches may rapidly
      overflow their banks in multiple places.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities. Many places where flood waters may cover escape
      routes. Streets and parking lots become flooded 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 significant
impacts across Southeast Oklahoma.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across the ArkLaTex. 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:

No evacuations at this time. Heed instructions from local emergency
management officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees or a manufactured home, plan to move to safe shelter.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, in a
low-lying or poor drainage area, plan to move to safe shelter on
higher ground.

Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.

There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways
to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.

* 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 Shreveport LA around 5 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

15
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