[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KJAN 262128
HLSJAN
ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026-MSZ018-019-025>066-072>074-270530-

Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 28
National Weather Service Jackson MS  AL132020
428 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

This product covers Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and extreme Southeast Arkansas

**WIND INCREASING IN THE SOUTHWEST AS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE
LAURA TAKES AIM AT THE NORTHWEST GULF COAST**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Catahoula, Concordia,
      Franklin LA, and Richland

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 340 miles south-southwest of Jackson MS
    - 27.9N 92.8W
    - Storm Intensity 145 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 320 degrees at 15 mph

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

Major Hurricane Laura has strengthened further this afternoon
over the northern Gulf of Mexico. On the current forecast track, Laura
will approach the Upper Texas and southwest Louisiana coasts this
evening and move inland within that area tonight. The center of Laura
is forecast to move over northwestern Louisiana Thursday, across
Arkansas Thursday night, and over the mid-Mississippi Valley on Friday.
Laura is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane and then
weaken as it moves farther inland, eventually becoming a tropical storm
as it moves north across East Texas and Western Louisiana Thursday.
This will bring tropical storm force winds into our southwestern most
Louisiana Parishes by early Thursday morning. Tornadoes and damaging
wind gusts will be possible over portions of northeast Louisiana,
extreme southeast Arkansas and western Mississippi late tonight through
Thursday. Inland flooding will also be possible over portions of
northeast Louisiana and extreme southeast Arkansas late tonight through
Thursday.

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

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
along and west of Interstate 55. Potential impacts in this area 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.

Elsewhere across Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and
extreme Southeast Arkansas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and extreme
Southeast Arkansas. 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against heavy rainfall having possible limited flooding
impacts across portions of northeast Louisiana and extreme southeast
Arkansas. Potential impacts include:
    - Localized flash flooding at underpasses, low-lying spots, and
      poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving
      water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving
      conditions may become hazardous.

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

* 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. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit.

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.

Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles
can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.

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

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from local authorities.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of
strong winds or flooding.

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 Jackson MS around 1030 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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