[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Wed Aug 26 22:45:02 CDT 2020

WTUS84 KHGX 270344
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Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 29
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL132020
1044 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

This product covers Southeast Texas

**HURRICANE LAURA WILL MAKE LANDFALL ALONG THE SOUTHWEST COAST OF
LOUISIANA WITHIN THE NEXT FEW HOURS BRINGING LIFE THREATENING STORM SURGE,
HIGH WINDS, AND HEAVY RAINFALL**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Fort Bend,
      Grimes, Madison, and Waller

* 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 Houston, Inland
      Brazoria, Inland Harris, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Trinity, and
      Walker
    - 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 100 miles east-southeast of Galveston TX or about 80
      miles east-southeast of High Island TX
    - 29.0N 93.2W
    - Storm Intensity 150 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 15 mph

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

Hurricane Laura has continued to strengthen and now has maximum sustained
winds of 150 MPH with isolated higher gusts. Laura is within hours of making
landfall along the southwest Louisiana coastline where unsurvivable storm surge,
widespread damaging winds, and flash flooding will occur overnight tonight
into Thursday morning. While Laura will be making landfall east of our area,
storm surge will be an issue overnight along the Bolivar Peninsula, into
Galveston Bay, and down along the Galveston coastline. Tropical storm force
winds are possible east of Interstate 45 through Thursday morning. Gusts to
hurricane force winds cannot be ruled out across Galveston Bay, Chambers
and Liberty counties. After making landfall in southwest Louisiana, Laura
is expected to turn north, then northeastward through the day on Thursday
while rapidly weakening.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Bolivar Peninsula. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts
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.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across unsheltered stretches of the Galveston Bay coast and across
the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast.

Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
extreme Southeast Texas. Remain well sheltered from the high winds
having possible significant 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, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the Galveston Bay area northward to the Pineywoods. Remain
well sheltered from the high winds having possible significant
impacts.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
extreme Southeast Texas northward into the Pineywoods. Remain well guarded
against flood waters having possible significant impacts.
If realized, these 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.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the Galveston Bay area and I-45 corridor. Remain well guarded against
dangerous flood waters having possible limited to significant impacts.

Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding east of the
Houston metro and northward to the Pineywoods. Remain well braced
against a tornado event having possible limited 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.

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.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

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.

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.

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.

* 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 4 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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