[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KLCH 271246
HLSLCH
LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-271700-

Hurricane Laura Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 30A
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL132020
746 AM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

...LAURA IS SLOWLY WEAKENING REMAINS A STRONG CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE...

...DAMAGING WINDS AND FLOODING RAINFALL SPREADING INLAND OVER
WESTERN AND CENTRAL LOUISIANA...

...LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE CONTINUES ALONG MUCH OF THE
LOUISIANA COASTLINE...

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled for Hardin,Southern Jasper,
      Southern Newton,Acadia, Calcasieu, East Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson,
      Jefferson Davis, Orange, Vermilion, and West Cameron

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 70 miles north of Lake Charles LA or about 50 miles west
      of Alexandria LA
    - 31.2N 93.3W
    - Storm Intensity 100 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 15 mph

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

At 700 AM CDT (1200 UTC), the center of Hurricane Laura was located
near latitude 31.2 North, longitude 93.3 West. Laura is moving north
at 15 mph and should remain on this northerly track through the rest
of today. On this forecast track, Laura will move across West Central
Louisiana and northern portions of Southeast Texas with impacts still
well east and west of its center.

Laura remains a strong category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained
winds of 100 mph. Storm surge is beginning to relax however water
continues to be driven inland with strong southerly winds. Some surge
may still approach 10 feet in low lying areas. This will result in
life threatening inundation. Significant surge is also still
expected up the lower Neches, Sabine, Calcasieu, Mermentau, and
Vermilion River basins.

Heavy rain producing bands of showers and isolated thunderstorms are
moving well inland with additional bands of heavy rain expected to
develop well south of the center. Feeder bands with intermittent
torrential rainfall can be expected throughout the day.  A moderate
to high risk of flash flooding will result. Isolated to a few
tornadoes are still possible within the stronger rain bands.

Hurricane force winds with frequent gusts near 100 mph are still occurring
near the center and in the strongest rain bands will mainly impact parishes
north of Interstate 10. Winds will continue to lower through the morning.


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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event continue to unfold across
the northern portions of southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas.
Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind having devastating 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 and access routes
      impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.

Southern portions (south of Interstate 10) of Southwest Louisiana and
Southeast Texas, will continue to see limited compact from additional
rain bands.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event continue are slowly waning
but continue with strong southerly winds. Portions of Southwest Louisiana
coastline and Southeast Texas coastline can still expected to see life
-threatening surge with catastrophic and deadly impacts.

If realized, these impacts 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.




* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Southwest and West Central Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Remain
well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having devastating
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.


* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Southwest
Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Remain well braced against a tornado
event having possible significant impacts.

If realized, these 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:

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


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

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.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.

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.

Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to
fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as
flooding is not a concern.

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.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.


* 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 as conditions warrant.

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