[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KJAN 271642 AAA
HLSJAN
ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026-MSZ018-019-025>066-072>074-280045-

Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 31...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jackson MS  AL132020
1142 AM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020

This product covers Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and extreme
Southeast Arkansas

**HURRICANE LAURA TRACKING NORTH OVER CENTRAL LOUISIANA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Bolivar and
      Washington

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Ashley, Bolivar,
      Catahoula, Chicot, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin LA,
      Madison LA, Morehouse, Richland, Tensas, Washington, and West
      Carroll

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 170 miles west of Jackson MS
    - 31.9N 93.1W
    - Storm Intensity 75 mph
    - Movement North or 5 degrees at 16 mph

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

Hurricane Laura was moving north northeast over central Louisiana
at mid morning. Laura is forecast to continue moving north northeast
today gradually turning northeast to east-northeast tonight and
Friday. Laura is expected to slowly weaken to a Tropical Storm tonight.
This will bring tropical storm force winds into our Louisiana parishes
and extreme southeast Arkansas counties today. Tornadoes and damaging
wind gusts will be possible over portions of northeast Louisiana,
extreme southeast Arkansas and much of central Mississippi through
this afternoon. Inland flooding will also be possible over portions of
northeast Louisiana and extreme southeast Arkansas through today.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
northeast Louisiana and southeast Arkansas. Remain well sheltered from
dangerous wind having 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 western Mississippi. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind
having possible limited impacts.

Elsewhere across Central Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and
extreme Southeast Arkansas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Central
Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana, and extreme Southeast Arkansas.
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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
northeast Louisiana and extreme southeast Arkansas. Potential impacts
include:
    - Rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Localized flash flooding 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 may become hazardous.

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.

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.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

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

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 Jackson MS around 5 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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