[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 22
National Weather Service New Orleans LA  AL132020
442 AM CDT Tue Aug 25 2020

This product covers Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi

**TROPICAL STORM LAURA BECOMING BETTER ORGANIZED OVER THE SOUTHEAST
GULF OF MEXICO**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for Hancock, Harrison,
      Livingston, Lower St. Bernard, Orleans, Southern Tangipahoa,
      St. Charles, St. John The Baptist, St. Tammany, Upper
      Jefferson, Upper Plaquemines, and Upper St. Bernard
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for
      Assumption, Iberville, Lower Jefferson, Lower Lafourche, Lower
      Plaquemines, Lower Terrebonne, Upper Lafourche, and Upper
      Terrebonne
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Pointe Coupee and West
      Baton Rouge

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 560 miles south-southeast of New Orleans LA or about 550
      miles southeast of Houma LA
    - 22.9N 85.7W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 17 mph

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

Tropical Storm Laura is becoming better organized over the southeast
Gulf of Mexico. Tropical Storm Laura is expected to strengthen into a
hurricane as it approaches the coast of Southwest Louisiana and Upper
Texas on Wednesday and is forecast to become a major hurricane before
landfall.


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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across all coastal areas of Southeast Louisiana and Mississippi
to the west of Ocean Springs. 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 coastal areas of Mississippi to the east of Ocean
Springs.

* WIND:
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across
the Atchafalaya River Basin. Potential impacts in this area 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, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

Also, prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across the remainder of Southeast Louisiana, Coastal and Southwest
Mississippi.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across western portions of Southwest Mississippi and Southeast
Louisiana including the Baton Rouge and Houma areas. 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 the remainder of Southwest and Coastal
Mississippi and Southeast Louisiana.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi. 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 officials 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.

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.

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.

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 New Orleans LA around 11 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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