[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-251830-

Tropical Storm Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 22
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL132020
516 AM CDT Tue Aug 25 2020

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**LAURA NOW FORECAST TO BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE OVER THE
NORTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO ON WEDNESDAY**

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 710 miles southeast of High Island TX or about 580 miles
      southeast of Morgan City LA
    - 22.9N 85.7W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 17 mph

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

Laura is then forecast to move over the central and northwestern
Gulf of Mexico tonight and Wednesday, and approach the coasts of
Texas and Louisiana on Wednesday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher
gusts. Strengthening is expected, and Laura is forecast to become a
hurricane later today. Additional strengthening is forecast on
Wednesday, and Laura could be near major hurricane strength when it
approaches the coast.

At 100 AM CDT Minimum central pressure is 995 mb (29.38 inches).


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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible devastating
impacts across southeast Texas and 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 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 devastating impacts
across southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. Potential impacts in
this area include:
    - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof
      and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage
      greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations
      may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
    - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Many bridges and access routes
      impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.


* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across southeast Texas and 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 11 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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