[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement
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emwin at nashvilleweather.net
Wed Aug 26 16:14:12 CDT 2020
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Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 28
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX AL132020
413 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020
This product covers Southeast Texas
**WIND AND WATER LEVELS INCREASING AS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE
LAURA TAKES AIM AT THE NORTHWEST GULF COAST**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
for Brazoria Islands and Coastal Brazoria
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Fort Bend, Grimes,
Houston, Inland Brazoria, Inland Harris, Madison, Montgomery,
San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller
- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
Chambers, Coastal Galveston, Coastal Harris, Galveston Island
and Bolivar Peninsula, and Southern Liberty
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Inland Galveston, Northern
Liberty, and Polk
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 150 miles southeast of Galveston TX and High Island TX
- 27.9N 92.8W
- Storm Intensity 145 mph
- Movement Northwest or 320 degrees at 15 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Laura has continued to rapidly intensify today, and is now a
Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 145 MPH. The
center of the storm is now close enough to be visible on the Houston
radar, and the storm is expected to remain a Category 4 hurricane into
landfall. The expected landfall point remains just east of the
Texas/Lousiana border, and should occur late tonight.
Because of the size of the storm, tide levels are already elevated
above normal values, with inundation of the most vulnerable locations
during the morning high tide cycle. Water levels have fallen very
little, if at all despite being currently being at low tide. Tonight's
high tide is significantly higher than the morning high tide even in
normal circumstances, so expect conditions to degrade rapidly as both
the astronomical tide and storm surge to increase to potentially
life-threatening levels this afternoon and evening. If you have been
ordered to evacuate due to the threat of storm surge, you need to
leave immediately, before roads are covered and evacuation routes are
cut off. Even if roads are clear at this moment, they may not be true
an hour from now. If a road had water on it this morning, it will be
covered shortly!
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive
impacts across the Bolivar Peninsula. Potential impacts in
this area include:
- Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding
accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings,
with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating
debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.
- Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads
washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and
barriers may become stressed.
- Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.
- Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many
small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.
Also, protect against life-threatening surge having possible
significant impacts across unsheltered stretches of the Galveston
Bay coast.
Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across the remainder of the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast.
* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across extreme 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, causeways, and access
routes impassable.
- Widespread power and communications outages.
Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible limited
to extensive impacts across the Galveston Bay area northward to the
Pineywoods.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across extreme Southeast Texas northward into
the Pineywoods. 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.
Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across the Galveston Bay area and I-45 corridor.
Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
east of the Houston metro and northward to the Pineywoods. 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.
Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
If evacuating, follow designated evacuation
routes. Seek traffic information on roadway signs, the radio, and
from official sources.
Do not enter evacuated areas until officials
have given the all clear to return.
RECOVERY PHASE - Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have
given the all clear to return.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an
emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.
Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.
* 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 10 PM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.
$$
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