[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 21
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL132020
1029 PM CDT Mon Aug 24 2020

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**Laura Enters the Gulf of Mexico**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Acadia, Calcasieu, East Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson, Jefferson
      Davis, Lower St. Martin, Orange, St. Mary, Vermilion, and West
      Cameron
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Lafayette and Upper St.
      Martin
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Allen, Avoyelles,
      Beauregard, Evangeline, Hardin, Northern Jasper, Northern
      Newton, Rapides, Southern Jasper, Southern Newton, St. Landry,
      Tyler, and Vernon

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 750 miles southeast of Cameron LA or about 660 miles
      southeast of Morgan City LA
    - 22.7N 84.0W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 20 mph

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

As 10 PM CDT, the center of Tropical Storm Laura was
located near the west tip of Cuba and just in the Gulf of Mexico. Laura is
moving toward the west-northwest near 20 mph and this
general motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected over
the next day or so.  A turn toward the northwest is forecast by
Wednesday, and a northwestward to north-northwestward motion should
continue through Wednesday night.  On the forecast track, the center
of Laura will move over the Gulf of Mexico and approach the northwestern
coast of the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday night.

Showers and thunderstorms ahead of the center will begin to
overspread southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas on Wednesday,
with an increasing risk of localized flash flooding. Isolated
tornadoes will also be possible, especially over southwest
Louisiana.

Tropical storm force winds are expected to spread across southwest
Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon and southeast Texas by Wednesday
evening. Hurricane force winds, mainly in frequent gusts, will be
likely beginning Wednesday evening across southwest Louisiana.

Storm surge of 7 to 11 feet above ground level will be possible
along the coast through Wednesday night, along and to the east of
where the center comes ashore.

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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible devastating
impacts across coastal areas of southwest Louisiana. Potential impacts in
this area include:
    - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly
      accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to
      buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded
      from considerable floating debris. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely
      flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed
      or overtopped.
    - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible.
    - Massive damage to marinas, docks, and piers. Numerous small
      craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and
      stranded.

Also, prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
to extensive impacts across the coastal areas of southeast Texas as
well as in the vicinity of Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes.

Also, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across inland areas south of Interstate 10 in south-central
and southwest Louisiana.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Potential impacts in this area
include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
      Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several bridges and access routes
      impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across southwest and west-central Louisiana. 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.

Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across Atchafalaya Basin and all of southeast Texas.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. 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.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including
possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.

For those not under evacuation orders, assess
the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location. If
you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do
not relocate, help keep roadways open for those under evacuation
orders.

If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra time
to get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your vehicle
ahead of time.

Let others know where you are going prior to departure. Secure
loose items and pets in the car, and avoid distracted driving.

If evacuating, follow designated evacuation routes. Seek traffic
information on roadway signs, the radio, and from official sources.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, plan to move to safe shelter.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to
move to safe shelter on higher ground.

Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.

Be sure to let friends and family members know of your intentions for
weathering the storm and your whereabouts. Have someone located away
from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital
contact information with others. Keep cell phones handy and charged.

Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are
unable to make personal preparations.

If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which
you are located and where it is relative to current watches and
warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their
onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially
pertaining to area visitors.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.

There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways
to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.

* 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 , or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$
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