[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 21
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL132020
1033 PM CDT Mon Aug 24 2020

This product covers Southeast Texas

**LAURA HAS ENTERED THE GULF OF MEXICO, WILL THREATEN THE
NORTHWESTERN GULF COAST MIDWEEK.**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Southern Liberty
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Chambers and Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Inland Galveston,
      Inland Harris, Montgomery, Northern Liberty, Polk, San Jacinto,
      Trinity, and Walker
    - A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for Brazoria Islands and
      Coastal Brazoria
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for
      Coastal Galveston and Coastal Harris

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 810 miles east-southeast of Galveston TX
    - 22.7N 84.0W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 20 mph

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

Tropical Storm Laura made landfall on the Pinar del Rio province around
7pm CDT, and since then has moved into the southern Gulf of Mexico. It
has maximum sustained winds of around 65 mph and is moving west-
northwest around 20 mph. Laura will be moving through favorable
conditions for strengthening and is expected to reach hurricane
strength by Tuesday afternoon. Additional strengthening is expected
through the next few days, and Laura may be approaching major hurricane
strength as it approaches the northwestern Gulf Coast. Laura is expected
to continue to move in a west-northwestward movement through Tuesday
before turning northwestward and then northward on Wednesday. This
brings Laura near the Texas/Lousiana border Wednesday night. At this
point in the forecast, track forecasts have an average error of around
80 miles.

Specific impacts will be strongly dependent on the exact track and
intensity of the storm when it makes landfall. Stay alert to the latest
forecast information! Adjustments to track may require additional
watches or warnings further down the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast.


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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. Potential
impacts in this area 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.

Also, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across portions of the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast.

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across the Bolivar Peninsula, and the east shore of Galveston Bay.
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, causeways, and
      access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across portions of Southeast Texas.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts east of Galveston Bay. Potential impacts include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
      currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
      in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and
      ditches overflow.
    - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
      Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
      inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
      areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
      storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
      become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across across much of Southeast Texas.

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

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

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.

* 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.

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.

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


* 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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