[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KLIX 270930
HLSLIX
LAZ034>037-039-040-046>050-056>072-MSZ068>071-077-080>082-271730-

Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 30
National Weather Service New Orleans LA  AL132020
430 AM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020

This product covers Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi

**LAURA MOVING NORTHWARD OVER SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* 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 190 miles west-northwest of New Orleans LA or about 170
      miles west-northwest of Houma LA
    - 30.5N 93.4W
    - Storm Intensity 120 mph
    - Movement North or 355 degrees at 15 mph

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

Hurricane Laura is currently moving north across extreme western
Louisiana at 15 mph. This motion will continue today, and Laura will
move over Arkansas tonight, and across the middle Mississippi River
Valley on Friday. Rapid weakening is expected today with Laura
becoming a tropical storm later in the day.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
portions of southeast Louisiana near the Atchafalaya River. Remain
well sheltered from dangerous wind having possible significant
impacts. If realized, these impacts 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.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the remainder of southeast Louisiana and south Mississippi.
Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible limited
impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal southeast Louisiana between Morgan City and Grand Isle.
Remain well away from life-threatening surge having possible
extensive 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 coastal southeast Louisiana between Grand Isle and the mouth
of the Mississippi River. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having possible significant impacts.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across coastal southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi between
the mouth of the Mississippi River and Ocean Springs. Remain well
away from locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
southeast Louisiana and south Mississippi, mainly west of Gulfport.
Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having
possible extensive 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.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Southeast
Louisiana and South Mississippi. 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.

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

* 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.

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.

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.

* 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 11 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

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