[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Hanna Local Statement Advisory Number 9
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL082020
1010 PM CDT Fri Jul 24 2020

This product covers Southeast Texas

**NOAA HURRICANE HUNTERS INDICATE THAT HANNA IS STRENGTHENING.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING EXTENDED TO HIGH ISLAND**


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

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

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 130 miles southeast of Matagorda TX
    - 27.1N 94.8W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement West or 270 degrees at 8 mph

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

NOAA Hurricane Hunters have found that Tropical Storm Hanna is
strengthening as it moves toward the Texas coastline in a
westerly direction. Marine platform and buoy observations also
show that the wind field is expanding, with gusts to around
tropical storm force already reported by the US Coast Guard
on lower portions of Galveston Bay. Because of this, the tropical
storm warning has been extended to include Galveston Bay,
Galveston Island, and the Bolivar Peninsula.

Winds and seas have increase this evening resulting in dangerous
marine conditions across area bays and Gulf waters. At the coast,
two to four feet of storm surge is expected from Sargent on down
the Gulf and Matagorda Bay coast, and one to two feet of storm surge
is expected from Sargent up the coast 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 throughout the day today and tonight. The
most concerning threat remains the potential for flooding rains,
followed by elevated seas and tides. Gusty winds are also expected to
occur in the warning area, and a few brief tornadoes cannot be ruled
out in the strongest parts of any outer bands. Two to four inches of
rain with isolated amounts of six to eight inches are expected across
the southernmost counties of Southeast Texas with lower amounts
expected elsewhere.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across the Southeast Texas Coastal Plain. 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 inland Southeast Texas.

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

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across the Matagorda Bay area. Potential impacts in
this area include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across the Galveston Bay area.

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

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
the Texas Gulf Coast and 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.

Assess the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location.
If you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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.

It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an
emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.

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 4 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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