[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Laura Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 30A
National Weather Service Shreveport LA  AL132020
814 AM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020

This product covers ArkLaTex

**LAURA STILL A HURRICANE AS IT MOVES THROUGH CENTRAL LOUISIANA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm
      Warning has been issued for Bossier, Caddo, De Soto, Sabine,
      San Augustine, and Shelby

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Angelina, Bossier,
      Bowie, Caddo, Caldwell, Cass, Columbia, De Soto, Gregg,
      Harrison, Hempstead, Howard, La Salle, Lafayette, Little River,
      Marion, Miller, Nacogdoches, Nevada, Ouachita, Panola, Rusk,
      Sabine, San Augustine, Sevier, Shelby, Union, and Union
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Bienville, Claiborne,
      Grant, Jackson, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine,
      Webster, and Winn

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 90 miles south-southeast of Shreveport LA
    - 31.2N 93.3W
    - Storm Intensity 100 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 15 mph

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

Hurricane Laura is now moving north northeast through Central
Louisiana. Laura will continue to slowly weaken through the
course of the day, but is now expected to retain hurricane
strength for at least several more hours as it presses into
North Louisiana by midday. Laura will be weakening to a
tropical storm this afternoon, but will continue to bring gusty
winds and heavy rain to portions of the Arklamiss into early
this evening. As Laura continues to move inland, damaging wind
gusts and inland flooding are expected across the eastern
two-thirds of the Four State region, while isolated tornadoes
should remain more confined to the Arklamiss. Due to Laura
tracking a little farther east than anticipated, it is looking
like some locations in East Texas along and west of a
Jacksonville to Clarksville line will be spared the worst of
the impacts.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
portions of Central and North Central Louisiana. Remain well
sheltered from life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts. If realized, these impacts include:

    - Roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged. Damage could be
      accentuated by airborne projectiles.
    - Many large trees uprooted along with fences and roadway
      signs blown over. Downed trees will become more common as
      the ground gets saturated with heavy rain.
    - Some roads impassable from debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several access routes could be
      impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across Southwest and South Central Arkansas, the remainder of
Central and Northwestern Louisiana and portions of East Texas
east of a Lufkin, to Tyler, to Clarksville line. If realized,
these impacts include:

    - Limited roof and shingle damage possible.
    - Large branches downed and some trees uprooted. Downed trees
      will become more common as the ground gets saturated with
      heavy rain.
    - Some roads may become blocked by downed trees.
    - Scattered areas with power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding
across Southwest and South Central Arkansas, North and Central
Louisiana, East Texas east of an Alto to Kilgore and
Clarksville line, and also McCurtain County Oklahoma. Potential
impacts include:

    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Small streams, creeks, bayous, and ditches may rapidly
      overflow their banks in multiple places.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities. Many places where flood waters may cover escape
      routes. Streets and parking lots become flooded with
      underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
    - Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed
      out.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across the rest of the Four State region.


* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across
South Central Arkansas and portions of North and Central Louisiana
east of a Bossier City to Zwolle line. 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
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:

No evacuations at this time. Heed instructions from local
emergency management officials. Assess the risk from wind,
falling trees, and flooding at your location, although be
extremely cautious about trying to move to a different location
if the weather has already greatly deteriorated at your location.

* 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.

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 in a location prone to flooding, be prepared to move
to nearby higher ground quickly.

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

* 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 Shreveport LA around 11 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

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