[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-090545-

Hurricane Delta Local Statement Advisory Number 17
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL262020
442 PM CDT Thu Oct 8 2020

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**DELTA REGAINS MAJOR HURRICANE STRENGTH OVER THE WESTERN GULF OF
MEXICO -- LANDFALL EXPECTED IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON TO FRIDAY EVENING**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been upgraded to a Hurricane
      Warning for Vernon

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 340 miles south of Cameron LA or about 360 miles
      south-southwest of Morgan City LA
    - 24.8N 93.4W
    - Storm Intensity 115 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 320 degrees at 12 mph

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

Hurricane Delta's appearance has improved significantly on infrared
and visible satellite this afternoon, indicating the storm continues to
strengthen. This is further supported by a NOAA recon mission which
found lowering pressure and evidence of winds to 115 MPH in the
eyewall. As such, Delta has regained major hurricane strength and is
now a category 3 storm. Delta is currently located approximately
375 nautical miles south of Lake Charles continuing to move to the
northwest. Strengthening is expected to continue over the next
12 hours before Delta turns north and then northeastward. At this
point, Delta is expected to gradually weaken as it approaches
landfall. Regardless of any weakening trend, Hurricane Delta is
expected to be a large and very dangerous storm. Landfall is expected
sometime late Friday afternoon into Friday evening along the Cameron
Parish coastline. Tropical storm force winds are expected to begin
near the coast Friday morning, with conditions continuing to
deteriorate thereafter. Life threatening storm surge is expected in
vulnerable coastal areas. Dangerous hurricane force winds are expected
in portions of southwest, south central, and central Louisiana, with
tropical storm force winds elsewhere. Rainfall of 4 to 10 inches with
locally higher amounts will be possible, with the highest amounts
expected near the center of circulation. As such flash flooding will be
an additional threat with Delta. Time for preparation before conditions
worsen is limited, and preparations should be completed as soon as
possible. If you plan on evacuating, you should evacuate as soon as
possible.

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

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible devastating
impacts across coastal southwest and south central Louisiana.
Potential impacts in this area 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.

Also, protect against life-threatening surge having possible
significant to extensive impacts across coastal southwest Louisiana.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across coastal southeast Texas.

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across southwest, south central, and central Louisiana.
Potential impacts in this area 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.

Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible
significant to extensive impacts across portions of central and
south central Louisiana, as well as southeast Texas.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across southwest and central Louisiana.
Potential 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.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across southeast Texas.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across south central Louisiana. 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 Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to
no impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.

For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind,
falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to
move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate,
help keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders.

If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra
time to get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your
vehicle ahead of time.


* 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 you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible.
Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges
will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather
forecast before departing and drive with caution.

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.

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

Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the 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 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 Lake Charles LA around 10 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

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