[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS84 KLCH 212128
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LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-220530-

Tropical Storm Beta Local Statement Advisory Number 17
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL222020
428 PM CDT Mon Sep 21 2020

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**SLOW-MOVING BETA GETTING CLOSER TO THE TEXAS COAST**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 140 miles southwest of High Island TX or about 310 miles
      west-southwest of Morgan City LA
    - 28.2N 96.1W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 310 degrees at 5 mph

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

Tropical Storm Beta continues to move slowly but steadily towards the
central Texas coast and should make landfall in the next few hours. No
further strengthening is expected prior to landfall. TS Beta will then
turn to the north to northeast tonight and Tuesday. Tropical storm
force winds and gusts extend well north and east of the center due to
interaction with high pressure situated over the eastern United
States. The main concerns will continue to be onshore flow creating
surge issues along the coast, flooding rain and gusty winds.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the upper Texas coast and southwest Louisiana coast. Remain well away
from life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts. If
realized, these impacts include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to non-elevated structures is possible.
    - Sections of 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, and piers. Several small
      craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected
      anchorages.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across south-central Louisiana coast. Remain well away from locally
hazardous surge having possible limited impacts.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the larger west gulf region. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having possible 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
central Louisiana and interior east Texas. Remain well guarded against
dangerous flood waters having possible limited to
significant impacts.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
mainly the near coastal areas. Remain well sheltered from hazardous
wind having additional limited impacts. If realized,
these 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.

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

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across the near coastal
areas of upper Texas coast and southwest 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:
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 11 pm CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

24/RR-LIX
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