[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KHGX 270622
HLSHGX
TXZ163-164-176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-300-313-335>338-436>438-271430-

Hurricane Laura Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 29A
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL132020
122 AM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020

This product covers Southeast Texas

**HURRICANE LAURA HAS MADE LANDFALL NEAR CAMERON, LOUISIANA WITH WINDS
NEAR 150 MPH.**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Brazoria
      Islands, Coastal Brazoria, Inland Brazoria, Inland Harris,
      Montgomery, and Walker
    - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm
      Warning has been issued for Chambers, Coastal Galveston,
      Coastal Harris, Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula, Inland
      Galveston, Northern Liberty, Polk, and Southern Liberty

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 100 miles east-northeast of Galveston TX or about 70
      miles east-northeast of High Island TX
    - 29.8N 93.3W
    - Storm Intensity 150 mph
    - Movement North or 350 degrees at 15 mph

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

Hurricane Laura has made landfall near Cameron, Louisiana with maximum
sustained winds of 150 MPH. In southwestern Louisiana, unsurvivable storm surge,
widespread damaging winds, and flash flooding is currently ongoing and will
continue through the morning. While Laura is east of our area, storm surge will
be an issue overnight along the Bolivar Peninsula, into Galveston Bay, and down
along the Galveston coastline. Tropical storm force winds are possible east of
Interstate 45 through Thursday morning. Laura will continue to move northward
through the day today while rapidly weakening.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Bolivar Peninsula. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts
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.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across unsheltered stretches of the Galveston Bay coast and across
the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast.

Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
extreme Southeast Texas. Remain well sheltered from the high winds
having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts 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.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the Galveston Bay area northward to the Pineywoods. Remain
well sheltered from the high winds having possible significant
impacts.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
extreme Southeast Texas northward into the Pineywoods. Remain well guarded
against flood waters having possible significant impacts.
If realized, these 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.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the Galveston Bay area and I-45 corridor. Remain well guarded against
dangerous flood waters having possible limited to significant impacts.

Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:

Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the
all clear to return.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best
foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.

Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane as any
improvement in weather will only be temporary. Once the eye passes,
conditions will become life threatening as winds immediately return
to dangerous speeds, so remain safely sheltered from the storm.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.

If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic
rise in water levels.
* 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 4 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net