[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-271100-

Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 29
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA  AL132020
1044 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE LAURA CLOSING IN ON THE NORTHWEST
GULF COAST...

...CATASTROPHIC STORM SURGE, EXTREME WINDS, AND FLASH FLOODING EXPECTED
  ALONG THE NORTHWEST GULF COAST TONIGHT...

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Acadia, Calcasieu, East Cameron, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis,
      Orange, Vermilion, and West Cameron
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Allen, Beauregard,
      Evangeline, Hardin, Northern Jasper, Northern Newton, Rapides,
      Southern Jasper, Southern Newton, Tyler, and Vernon
    - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane
      Watch are in effect for Iberia, Lower St. Martin, and St. Mary
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Avoyelles, Lafayette,
      St. Landry, and Upper St. Martin

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 60 miles south of Cameron LA or about 130 miles
      west-southwest of Morgan City LA
    - 29.0N 93.2W
    - Storm Intensity 150 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 15 mph

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

At 1000 PM CDT (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Laura was located
near latitude 29.0 North, longitude 93.2 West. Laura is moving toward
the north northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h) and should remain on this track
a turn to the north is forecast for Thursday. On the forecast track,
Laura will approach the Upper Texas and southwest Louisiana coasts
by Midnight and move inland within that area tonight.

Laura is an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane with maximum
sustained winds of 150 mph. Laura will arrive as a major category
4 hurricane at landfall overnight. Maximum storm surge values will be
expected between 15 to 20 feet. This will result in life threatening
inundation. Evacuate immediately if you are within an area where this
extreme surge may occur. Also a significant surge will occur up the
lower Neches, Sabine, Calcasieu, Mermentau, and Vermilion River
basins.

Heavy rain producing bands of showers and isolated thunderstorms will
move inland across the Louisiana coastline early this evening as Laura
continues its northwest approach, then expand northward overnight as
Laura moves inland. A high to extreme risk of flash flooding will
result. Isolated to several tornadoes will also be possible across the
area.

Tropical storm force winds are quickly approaching coastal parishes
of southwest Louisiana with hurricane force winds and very strong
squalls will overspread much of Southwest Louisiana tonight. Tropical
Storm and hurricane force winds to overspread portions of Southeast
Texas after midnight. Tropical storm winds and frequent hurricane
force gusts Strong winds will continue through Thursday morning.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
lower southwest Louisiana coastline and southeast Texas coastline.
Remain well away from life-threatening surge having castastrophic
and deadly impacts.

If realized, these impacts 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.


* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are beginning to unfold across
southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Remain well sheltered from
life-threatening wind having devastating impacts.

If realized, these impacts 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:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having devastating impacts.

If realized, these impacts include:
    - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks
      in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,
      canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control
      systems and barriers may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape
      routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water
      with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very
      dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened
      or washed out.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Southwest
Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Remain well braced against a tornado
event having possible significant to impacts.

If realized, these 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:

Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all clear to return.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best
foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.

Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane as any
improvement in weather will only be temporary. Once the eye passes,
conditions will become life threatening as winds immediately return
to dangerous speeds, so remain safely sheltered from the storm.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.

Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to
fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as
flooding is not a concern.

If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic
rise in water levels.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.

If an Extreme Wind Warning is issued for your area, move to the
safest place within your shelter. Take the same life-saving actions
as if it were a violent tornado.


* 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 as conditions warrant or 5 AM CDT.

$$
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