[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS84 KHGX 220319
HLSHGX
TXZ163-164-176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-300-313-335>338-436>438-221130-

Tropical Storm Beta Local Statement Advisory Number 18
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL222020
1019 PM CDT Mon Sep 21 2020

This product covers Southeast Texas

**BETA CLOSE TO LANDFALL NEAR MATAGORDA BAY. BANDS OF HEAVY RAIN
EXPECTED ACROSS SE TEXAS TONIGHT ALONG WITH ELEVATED TIDES.**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Inland Brazoria,
      Inland Galveston, 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 110 miles west-southwest of Galveston TX or about 20
      miles southwest of Matagorda TX
    - 28.4N 96.3W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 3 mph

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

Tropical Storm Beta will be making landfall within the next few hours
near Matagorda Bay. It will then slowly move to the northeast through
midweek. Bands of heavy rain will continue to train across portions of
Southeast Texas through the day tomorrow, with the rain threat not ending
until Wednesday when Beta is out of the area. The heavy rain will cause
street flooding and for creeks and bayous to swell past their banks.
Within these rainbands, 4 to 7 inches of rain have already fallen with
additional rain expected. Flooding concerns along the coast will be
compounded with elevated tides due to the onshore winds persisting overnight.
Surge will become less of an issue during the day on Tuesday, but concerns
for coastal flooding will remain through midweek.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Southeast Texas with heavy rainbands moving through Galveston, Harris
counties, and areas around Matagorda Bay. 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
north of Interstate 10. Remain well guarded against dangerous
flood waters having possible limited to
significant impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Barrier Islands and coastal regions from Matagorda Bay through
Galveston Bay. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having
additional significant impacts. If realized, these impacts 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.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
the immediate coast, especially near the landfall location which
is expected to occur near Matagorda Bay. Remain well sheltered from
hazardous wind having possible 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.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Southeast
Texas. 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.

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

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

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best
foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.

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 be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.

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.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.

* 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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