[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-100545-

Hurricane Delta Local Statement Advisory Number 21
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL262020
433 PM CDT Fri Oct 9 2020

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**HURRICANE DELTA MAKING LANDFALL ON EASTERN CAMERON PARISH COASTLINE
OVER NEXT FEW HOURS. LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE AND DANGEROUS
HURRICANE CONDITIONS ONGOING**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* 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 30 miles south of Cameron LA or about 120 miles
      west-southwest of Morgan City LA
    - 29.3N 93.2W
    - Storm Intensity 105 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 14 mph

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

Hurricane Delta is approaching the southwest Louisiana coast and
will continue making landfall in eastern Cameron Parish over the next
few hours. While Delta has weakened from major strength and continues
to show signs of weakening, it remains a large and dangerous category
2 hurricane at this time with maximum sustained winds of 105 MPH and
higher gusts. Sustained winds and wind gusts have been steadily
increasing across the region with Delta's approach, and will continue
to do so as the eye comes ashore. Surge has already begun to inundate
vulnerable coastal locations and move up rivers. A water level gauge at
Freshwater Canal Locks, LA has measured storm surge inundation of more
than 6.2 feet above ground level at 420 PM CDT, and subsequent rises
are expected, as it is currently low tide and the storm is still
making landfall. Remember, storm surge is the number one killer in
hurricanes, and water will likely be slow to recede once the storm
passes. In addition to winds and surge, heavy rainfall is expected to
continue. So far, around 3 to 6 inches of rain have fallen across
portions of Louisiana and Texas, and further rainfall will lead to a
continued flash flooding threat as we progress into the evening hours.
Hurricane Delta is expected to continue moving to the northeast after
landfall, and weaken as it does so. Despite weakening, dangerous
conditions will persist well inland while Delta passes.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal southwest and south central Louisiana. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge having devastating 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.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across coastal southwest Louisiana. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge having significant
to extensive impacts.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across southeast Texas. Remain well away from locally
hazardous surge having limited impacts.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
southwest, south central, and central Louisiana, as well as portions
of 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.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across portions southeast Texas. Remain well sheltered from
life-threatening wind having limited to
extensive impacts.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
southwest and central 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.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
southeast Texas. Remain well guarded against dangerous
flood waters having additional significant impacts.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across south central
Louisiana. Remain well braced against a tornado event having possible
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.

Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and 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:
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.

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.


* 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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