[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 28
National Weather Service New Orleans LA  AL132020
457 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

This product covers Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi

**POWERFUL CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE LAURA IS APPROACHING THE UPPER TEXAS
AND SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA COAST AND FORECAST TO LANDFALL TONIGHT.**
**OUTER BANDS OF LAURA ARE CURRENTLY IMPACTING SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA.**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Storm Surge Watch has been replaced with a Coastal Flood
      Warning 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

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Iberville, Pointe
      Coupee, and West Baton Rouge
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Assumption, Lower Jefferson, Lower Lafourche, Lower
      Plaquemines, Lower Terrebonne, Upper Lafourche, and Upper
      Terrebonne

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 210 miles southwest of New Orleans LA or about 280 miles
      southwest of Gulfport MS
    - 27.9N 92.8W
    - Storm Intensity 145 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 320 degrees at 15 mph

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

Hurricane Laura is currently moving northwest in the northwestern Gulf
of Mexico.  It is expected to turn towards the north and landfall
near the Louisiana-Texas border later tonight. It is then forecast to
move inland and rapidly weaken but still will be bringing tropical
storm force wind gusts and heavy rain.

The outer fringes of Laura are currently impacting Southeast Louisiana
generally west of I-55. These rain bands are capable of producing
brief tornadoes, tropical storm force gusts, and heavy rain potentially
leading to flash flooding.

Storm surge is currently impacting the southeast Louisiana coast west
of Grand Isle. Elsewhere, coastal flooding is possible for the rest of
the Southeast Louisiana coast, Coastal Mississippi and the tidal lakes.



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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible extensive impacts
across coastal areas of Southeast Louisiana west of Grand Isle.
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, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across the remaining coasting areas of Southeast Louisiana
and coastal areas of South Mississippi west 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, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across the remainder of Southeast Louisiana, Southwest and Coastal
Mississippi.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across the New Orleans, Houma and Baton Rouge
regions, and Southwest Mississippi. 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 Coastal Mississippi.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi. Potential impacts
include:
    - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
      of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
    - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
      homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or
      uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
      Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

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

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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.

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 10 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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