[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Beta Local Statement Advisory Number 6
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL222020
1039 PM CDT Fri Sep 18 2020

This product covers Southeast Texas

**AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND BETA STRONGER**
**HURRICANE WATCHES AND STORM SURGE WATCHES ARE NOW IN EFFECT
FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Southern Liberty
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch have been issued for
      Brazoria Islands, Chambers, Coastal Brazoria, Coastal
      Galveston, Coastal Harris, Coastal Jackson, Coastal Matagorda,
      Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula, and Matagorda Islands

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Southern Liberty
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Brazoria Islands, Chambers, Coastal Brazoria, Coastal
      Galveston, Coastal Harris, Coastal Jackson, Coastal Matagorda,
      Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula, and Matagorda Islands

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 300 miles south-southeast of Galveston TX or about 310
      miles southeast of Matagorda TX
    - 25.5N 92.3W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 30 degrees at 12 mph

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

At 1000 PM CDT, Tropical Storm Beta was located over the Western Gulf
of Mexico. Beta is moving toward the north-northeast near 12 mph and a
slow westward motion is expected to begin late Saturday, with a slow
northwestward motion forecast to begin late Sunday and continue through
late Monday. On the forecast track, the center of Beta will slowly
approach the Texas coast this weekend into early next week. Additional
strengthening is forecast, and Beta is expected to become a hurricane
on Sunday.

Locally, Beta is expected to bring dangerous storm surge along the
coastal locations of Southeast Texas, as well as the potential for
flooding rain and possible Hurricane Force winds. The combination
of storm surge and heavy rainfall along with high tides will elevate
the risk of dangerous flooding along the Barrier Islands and inner
coastal locations.

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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts along the Barrier Islands and coastal regions from Matagorda
Bay through Galveston Bay. 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.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts along and south of Interstate 10. Potential
impacts include:
    - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents.
      Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen
      and overflow in spots.
    - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually
      vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water
      occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
      areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become
      near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge
      closures.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
along the Texas Coast. Potential impacts in this area 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, causeways, and
      access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across most of Southeast Texas.

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

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

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to
move to safe shelter on higher ground.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.

* 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 4 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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