[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-280030-

Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 31...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL132020
1124 AM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**LAURA CONTINUES TO MOVE NORTHWARD AS A CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE**

**HIGH WATER LEVELS PERSIST ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE LOUISIANA
 COAST**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* 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 150 miles north of Cameron LA or about 190 miles
      northwest of Morgan City LA
    - 31.9N 93.1W
    - Storm Intensity 75 mph
    - Movement North or 5 degrees at 16 mph

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

At 1000 AM CDT (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Laura was located
inland over northwestern Louisiana near latitude 31.9 North, longitude
93.1 West. Laura is moving toward the north near 16 mph (26 km/h) and
this motion should continue through today. A northeastward to east-
northeastward motion is expected tonight and Friday. On the forecast
track, Laura will move northward across northern Louisiana this
afternoon.

Laura is currently a category 1 hurricane. Storm surge has peaked and
will gradually diminish through the afternoon.

Residual bands of heavy rain will continue to move across portions of
southwest Louisiana this afternoon. There is generally a low to
moderate risk of flash flooding. Isolated tornadoes will also be
possible across the area.

Some lingering hurricane force winds are possible across portions of
Central Louisiana late this morning into early this afternoon.
Elsewhere, tropical storm force winds will continue across the
remainder of Southwest Louisiana through this afternoon.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event continue across the lower
Southwest Louisiana coastline. Remain well away from areas still
experiencing surge. Ongoing impacts include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to non-elevated structures is possible.
    - Sections of escape routes and secondary roads become weakened
      or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, and piers. Several small
      craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected
      anchorages.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event continue across Central
Louisiana. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind having
additional extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
      Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several bridges and access routes
      impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
portions of Southwest Louisiana. Remain well guarded against life-
threatening flood waters having additional extensive 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 possible across portions of
Southwest Louisiana. Remain well braced against a tornado event having
additional limited 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:

Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power.
Keep a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

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.

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 around 2 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

Hallman
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