[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Sun Sep 20 22:45:41 CDT 2020

WTUS84 KHGX 210345
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TXZ163-164-176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-300-313-335>338-436>438-211145-

Tropical Storm Beta Local Statement Advisory Number 14
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL222020
1045 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2020

This product covers Southeast Texas

**TROPICAL STORM BETA CONTINUES TO MOVE WESTWARD TOWARD THE TEXAS
COASTLINE. SURGE IMPACTS ALREADY BEING SEEN ALONG THE COAST.**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Fort Bend, Inland
      Brazoria, Inland Galveston, Inland Harris, Inland Jackson,
      Inland Matagorda, Southern Liberty, and Wharton
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning 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 120 miles south of Galveston TX or about 110 miles
      southeast of Matagorda TX
    - 27.6N 94.5W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 6 mph

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

Tropical Storm Beta continues its west northwest movement across the
western Gulf of Mexico towards the Texas Coastline. The current forecast
intensity remains generally unchanged and Beta is expected to maintain
tropical storm force winds until landfall. Beta remains on track to make
landfall near Matagorda Bay late Monday afternoon or evening, then take
a turn to the northeast Tuesday through Thursday. Arrival of tropical
storm force winds will occur by sunrise Monday morning and continue through
Tuesday morning.

We continue to anticipate a prolonged heavy rainfall and coastal
flooding event from Beta with elevated tides already occuring bringing
coastal flooding. Coastal flooding will remain a threat through
midweek with the worst of the storm surge anticipated through
sunrise Monday morning with persisting issues overnight Monday night into
Tuesday. The first rainbands from Beta have already moved onshore, but
the heaviest rainfall will not occur until late Monday into Tuesday. Generally
6 to 12 inches of rain is expected with locally higher amounts of around
15 inches along the immediate coast. 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 through
mid-week.

Many local authorities have issued voluntary evacuation orders for
low-lying and flood-prone areas. If you are within an area where an
evacuation warning has been issued, please heed the advice of your
local officials. The storm surge and flash flooding impacts of Beta
will have the potential to be life-threatening.

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

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across 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:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across portions of Southeast Texas with the
highest rain totals expected along the coast. 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 the Northern Brazos Valley and up
towards Houston County.

* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across the immediate coast, especially near the landfall location which
is expected to occur near Matagorda Bay. Potential impacts in this area
include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across most of Southeast Texas.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
along the coast. 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, including possible evacuation. If ordered to
evacuate, do so immediately.

Do not enter evacuated areas until officials
have given the all clear to return.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

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.

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.

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.

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 4 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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