[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Hanna Local Statement Advisory Number 8
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL082020
435 PM CDT Fri Jul 24 2020

This product covers Southeast Texas

**Hanna to Bring Heavy Rainfall and Coastal Flooding to Portions
of Southeast Texas**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for Coastal Jackson,
      Coastal Matagorda, and Matagorda Islands

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Coastal Jackson, Coastal Matagorda, and Matagorda Islands
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Brazoria Islands,
      Coastal Brazoria, Inland Jackson, and Inland Matagorda

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 140 miles south-southeast of Galveston TX or about 140
      miles southeast of Matagorda TX
    - 27.3N 94.3W
    - Storm Intensity 50 mph
    - Movement West or 275 degrees at 10 mph

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

Tropical Storm Hanna has continued to strengthen as it slowly moves
westward towards the Coastal Bend area of Texas. It is now expected to
become a hurricane with winds of 75 MPH just before making landfall near
the Corpus Christi area Saturday afternoon. Tropical storm force winds
currently stretch 60 miles out from Hanna's center. Hanna is expected to
weaken as it moves southwestward towards Mexico.

Locally, winds and seas will be on the rise as Hanna approaches
the local Gulf waters, resulting in dangerous marine conditions across
the nearshore and offshore waters. Strong rip currents are expected to
last through the weekend. Two to four feet of storm surge is expected
from Sargent down through Matagorda Bay, and one to two feet
of storm surge is expected from Sargent up through High Island. The
surge combined with elevated tides will lead to minor coastal
flooding. The strongest wind field should remain over the Gulf waters
adjacent to Matagorda Bay. Inland, rainbands generated from Hanna will
move into Southeast Texas. The most concerning threat remains to be
flooding rains, followed by elevated seas and tides. Two to four inches
of rain with isolated amounts of six to eight inches are expected
across the southern most counties of Southeast Texas with lower amounts
expected elsewhere.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across the Texas Gulf Coast. 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, 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.

Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across the inland areas of Southeast Texas.

Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across the Matagorda Bay area up through Sargent. 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 Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
the Matagorda Bay area. 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 Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across the Matagorda Bay area. Potential 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 Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including
possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.

Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles
can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.

Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

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.

* 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 Houston/Galveston TX around 10 PM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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