[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KSHV 251629
HLSSHV
ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-OKZ077-TXZ096-097-108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167-260030-

Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 23
National Weather Service Shreveport LA  AL132020
1129 AM CDT Tue Aug 25 2020

This product covers the ArkLaTex and Four State region

**LAURA MOVING ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO AND FORECAST
TO BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE BEFORE MAKING LANDFALL WEDNESDAY**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Angelina, Grant,
      Nacogdoches, Natchitoches, Sabine, Sabine, and San Augustine
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Bienville, Bossier,
      Caddo, Caldwell, Cherokee, Claiborne, De Soto, Gregg, Harrison,
      Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Marion, Ouachita, Panola, Red
      River, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Union, Upshur, Webster, Winn, and
      Wood

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Angelina, Grant,
      Nacogdoches, Natchitoches, Sabine, Sabine, and San Augustine
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bienville, Bossier,
      Caddo, Caldwell, Cherokee, Claiborne, De Soto, Gregg, Harrison,
      Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Marion, Ouachita, Panola, Red
      River, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Union, Upshur, Webster, Winn, and
      Wood

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 700 miles southeast of Lufkin TX or about 670 miles
      southeast of Natchitoches LA
    - 23.7N 87.0W
    - Storm Intensity 75 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 16 mph

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

Hurricane Laura is becoming better organized over the southeast
Gulf of Mexico. Laura is expected to strengthen into a major
hurricane as it approaches the coast of Southwest Louisiana and
Upper Texas on Wednesday and is forecast to become a major
hurricane before landfall Wednesday night. Laura should weaken
as it heads inland late Wednesday night into Thursday, but
should still bring considerable impacts to portions of the Four
State region.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across Deep East Texas and portions of west-central Louisiana.
Potential impacts in this area include:

    - Roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window,
  door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged. Damage accentuated
  by airborne projectiles.
    - Many large trees uprooted along with fences and roadway
      signs blown over. Downed trees will become more common as
      the ground gets saturated with heavy rain.
    - Some roads impassable from debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across the remainder of locations in
northwestern Louisiana and eastern Texas, generally along and
south of Interstate Twenty corridor.

    - Limited roof and shingle damage possible.
    - Large branches downed and some trees uprooted. Downed trees
      will become more common as the ground gets saturated with
      heavy rain.
    - Some roads may become blocked by downed trees.
    - Scattered areas with power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across far eastern Texas, northwest and
west-central Louisiana, and southwestern Arkansas. Potential
impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Small streams, creeks, bayous, and ditches may rapidly
      overflow their banks in multiple places.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities. Many places where flood waters may cover escape
      routes. Streets and parking lots become flooded 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 the remainder of East Texas and the Arklamiss.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
the ArkLaTex. 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:

No evacuations at this time. Heed instructions from local emergency
management officials.

* 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 or a manufactured home, plan to move to safe shelter.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, in a
low-lying or poor drainage area, 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.

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 Shreveport LA around 5 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

50
This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net