[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS84 KHGX 220632
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TXZ163-164-176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-300-313-335>338-436>438-221445-

Tropical Storm Beta Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 18A
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL222020
132 AM CDT Tue Sep 22 2020

This product covers Southeast Texas

**BETA MADE LANDFALL AT 10PM ON THE SOUTHERN END OF MATAGORDA
PENINSULA. DANGEROUS FLASH FLOODING THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS
SOUTHEAST TEXAS.**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Storm Surge Warning has been cancelled for Coastal Jackson,
      Coastal Matagorda, and Matagorda Islands

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Jackson,
      Coastal Matagorda, Inland Brazoria, Inland Galveston, Inland
      Jackson, Inland Matagorda, Matagorda Islands, 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, and Galveston Island and Bolivar
      Peninsula

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 110 miles west-southwest of Galveston TX or about 30
      miles west of Matagorda TX
    - 28.6N 96.5W
    - Storm Intensity 40 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 3 mph

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

Tropical Storm Beta made landfall on the southern end of the Matagorda
Peninsula around 10pm CDT with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. It will
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 8 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 coast north of Sargent and around the Galveston Bay area. 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.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
around the Matagorda Bay area up to Sargent. Remain well away from locally
hazardous surge having additional limited impacts.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Southeast Texas. 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.

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.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is
harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.

* 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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