[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KLCH 190355
HLSLCH
LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-191200-

Tropical Storm Beta Local Statement Advisory Number 6
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL222020
1055 PM CDT Fri Sep 18 2020

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

...TROPICAL STORM BETA SLOWLY STRENGTHENING IN THE WEST-CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO...

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for East Cameron,
      Iberia, Jefferson, St. Mary, Vermilion, and West Cameron

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for East Cameron, Iberia,
      Jefferson, St. Mary, Vermilion, and West Cameron

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 300 miles south-southeast of Cameron LA or about 300
      miles south-southwest of Morgan City LA
    - 25.5N 92.3W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 30 degrees at 12 mph

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

Tropical Storm Beta continues to slowly strengthen in the west-central
Gulf of Mexico. This system sill meander across the northwestern Gulf
and continue to strengthen to a hurricane by early Sunday before
drifting along or near the Texas Gulf coastline. Beta is
expected to deliver tropical storm force winds across marine areas,
before spreading inland near the coast of southern and southwestern
Louisiana later this weekend. Locally heavy rain will be possible north
of the center later this weekend and through next week as the system
approaches the area from the southwest by mid/late next week and may
deliver a prologned rain event to portions of the area.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across Jefferson County, Texas or near the coastal
Texas/ Louisiana state line.
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 Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to
no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Potential impacts 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.

* TORNADOES:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southwest
Louisiana and Southeast Texas.

* SURGE:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time. However, minor
coastal flooding will be possible generally along West Cameron and East
Cameron Parishes, as well as Jefferson County in 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.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.

Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are
unable to make personal preparations.

If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which
you are located and where it is relative to current watches and
warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their
onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially
pertaining to area visitors.

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 Lake Charles LA around 5 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net