[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Tue Sep 14 10:18:37 CDT 2021

WTUS84 KLCH 141518
HLSLCH
LAZ073-TXZ215-216-142330-

Tropical Storm Nicholas Local Statement Advisory Number 10
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL142021
1018 AM CDT Tue Sep 14 2021

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
 TEXAS AND SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Hardin

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
      for West Cameron
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Jefferson
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Orange

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 50 miles west of High Island TX or about 120 miles west
      of Cameron LA
    - 29.6N 95.3W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 40 degrees at 6 mph

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

At 1000 AM CDT, the center of Tropical Storm Nicholas was located near
latitude 29.6 North, longitude 95.3 West. Nicholas is moving toward
the northeast near 6 mph and this general motion should continue
today. The storm should move more slowly toward the east-northeast by
tonight, and then turn eastward on Wednesday over Louisiana. Little
motion is anticipated on Thursday.

NOAA Doppler weather radar and surface observations indicate that
maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 45 mph with higher
gusts. Additional weakening is forecast during the next couple of days
as Nicholas moves farther inland, and the storm is forecast to become a
tropical depression by tonight.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles, mainly over
water to the southeast of the center. The estimated minimum central
pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches) based on nearby surface observations.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Jefferson County. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood
waters having possible devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks
      in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,
      canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control
      systems and barriers may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape
      routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water
      with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very
      dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened
      or washed out.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the remainder of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Remain well
guarded against life-threatening flood waters having possible extensive
impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the coastline from High Island to Cameron. 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 from
Cameron to Intracoastal City. Remain well away from locally hazardous
surge having possible limited impacts.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Jefferson County and the Louisiana coastline from Sabine Pass to
Cameron. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having possible
significant impacts. If realized, these impacts 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 and access routes
      impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the remainder of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.
Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible limited
impacts.

Elsewhere across Central and South-central Louisiana, little to no
impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Southwest
Louisiana and 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:
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:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery-
powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

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.

* 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 PM, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

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