[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-OKZ077-TXZ096-097-108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167-280300-

Tropical Storm Laura Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 31A
National Weather Service Shreveport LA  AL132020
148 PM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020

This product covers ArkLaTex and the Four State Region

**LAURA WEAKENS TO A TROPICAL STORM AS IT HEADS TOWARD SOUTH
CENTRAL ARKANSAS**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm
      Warning has been issued for Bienville, Claiborne, Jackson,
      Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Webster, and Winn

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 70 miles east-northeast of Shreveport LA
    - 32.9N 92.8W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement North or 10 degrees at 15 mph

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

Laura is now a tropical storm and will be moving north into
southern Arkansas over the next hour or two. Laura will continue
to slowly weaken through the remainder of the afternoon, but
will still bring gusty winds to much of the region for
several more hours. Laura will be focusing a majority of the
locally heavy rains north of the Interstate Twenty corridor until
the system's departure by early this evening. Because Laura
tracked a little farther east than anticipated, most of the
tornado threat is now limited to the Arklamiss.

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

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

    - Roof damage to buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes particularly susceptible to damage.
    - 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.

Some potential lower end impacts from the main wind event are
also possible across the remainder of the Four State region.


* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Southwest and South Central Arkansas, North Louisiana, and extreme
Northeast Texas. 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.
    - 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.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across
portions of the Arklamiss. 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 the Four State region, little to no impact is
anticipated.

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 5 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

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