[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS84 KBRO 232147
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Tropical Depression Eight Local Statement Advisory Number 4
National Weather Service Brownsville TX  AL082020
447 PM CDT Thu Jul 23 2020

This product covers The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas

 **Tropical Depression 8 on the edge of becoming a Tropical Storm**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Coastal Willacy
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Kenedy and
      Inland Kenedy

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 420 miles east of Port Mansfield TX or about 420 miles
      east of the Mouth of Baffin Bay
    - 26.1N 90.7W
    - Storm Intensity 35 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 8 mph

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

Tropical Depression Eight remains on a slow but steady west-
northwestward track towards the middle Texas coastline the next few
days. Goes 16 Satellite depiction shows the depression becoming better
defined and convective banding showing increased organization. The
environment over the Western Gulf of Mexico is improving which is
leading to continued slow strengthening and the depression is expected
to become a tropical storm in the next 12 to 24 hours.

Wind fields have expanded and landfall projection along the Texas
coastal bend, sometime Saturday afternoon, warrants an upgrade to
Tropical Storm warnings for Kenedy county and the Laguna Madre from
north of Port Mansfield to Baffin Bay and for the adjacent Lower Texas
coastal waters north of Port Mansfield. The southern coastal waters
and the Laguna Madre from Port Mansfield to the north of the Arroyo
Colorado remains in a Tropical Storm watch at this time. The primary
impact from TD8 across the northern and Western Ranchlands Deep South
Texas will be a heavy rainfall Friday through Sunday where rainfall
amounts of 2 to 4 inches with higher amounts of 6 inches possible. The
Lower and Middle Rio Grande Valley could see 1 to 2 inches with local
amounts to 4 inches. Additionally, tropical storm force winds within
stronger rainbands remain could be possible over portions of Kenedy
and Willacy counties. Minor coastal flooding will also be possible
with 1 to 2 feet of inundation along the coast and bays.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South
Texas.

Potential impacts include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
      currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
      in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals,
      arroyos, and ditches overflow.
    - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
      Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
      inundation 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
      become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
Kenedy County and the King Ranch. Potential impacts in this area
include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

Elsewhere across The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas, little
to no impact is anticipated.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across the Lower Texas coast. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
      immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
      farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
    - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
      with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
      surge water covers the road.
    - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
      in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
    - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
      and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Elsewhere across The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas, little
to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across The Rio
Grande Valley and Deep South Texas.

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

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind
gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of
the storm.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage
area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to
safe shelter on higher ground.

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.

Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are
unable to make personal preparations.

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 Brownsville TX around 1030 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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