[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Hanna Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 10A
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL082020
725 AM CDT Sat Jul 25 2020

This product covers Southeast Texas

**NOAA HURRICANE HUNTERS AND DOPPLER WEATHER RADARS FIND HANNA HAS
BECOME THE FIRST HURRICANE OF THE 2020 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Brazoria Islands,
      Coastal Brazoria, Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula,
      Inland Jackson, and Inland Matagorda
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Coastal Jackson, Coastal Matagorda, and Matagorda Islands

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 170 miles south-southwest of Galveston TX or about 100
      miles south of Matagorda TX
    - 27.1N 96.0W
    - Storm Intensity 75 mph
    - Movement West or 270 degrees at 9 mph

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

Hanna has strengthened to a category 1 hurricane this morning and
will continue to move west toward the Central and Lower Texas Coast.
The center of Hanna is forecast to make landfall this afternoon or
early this evening. Rapid weakening is expected after Hanna moves
inland.

Locally, strong winds and high seas will continue to produce dangerous
marine conditions across the bays and Gulf waters as well as hazardous
beach conditions. At the coast, two to four feet of storm surge is
expected from Sargent on down the Gulf and Matagorda Bay coast, and
one to two feet of storm surge is expected from Sargent up the coast
through High Island. The surge combined with elevated tides will lead
to minor coastal flooding. The strongest wind field should remain over
the Gulf waters adjacent to Matagorda Bay. Inland, rainbands generated
from Hanna will move into Southeast Texas throughout the day today and
tonight. The most concerning threat remains the potential for flooding
rains, followed by elevated seas and tides. Gusty winds are also
expected to occur in the warning area, and a few brief tornadoes
cannot be ruled out in the strongest parts of any outer bands. Two to
four inches of rain with isolated amounts of six to eight inches are
expected across the southernmost counties of Southeast Texas with
lower amounts expected elsewhere.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across the Southeast Texas Coastal Plain.
Potential impacts include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
      currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
      in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and
      ditches overflow.
    - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
      Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
      inundation 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
      become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across inland Southeast Texas.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across the Matagorda Bay area. Potential impacts in
this area include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore 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, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across the Galveston Bay area.

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

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
the Texas Gulf Coast and Matagorda Bay area. 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 Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across the Matagorda Bay area. 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.

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

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions.

Assess the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your
location. If you decide to move, relocate to a safer location
nearby.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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.

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 Houston/Galveston TX around 11 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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