[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS84 KHGX 140917
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TXZ163-164-176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-300-313-335>338-436>438-141730-

Tropical Storm Nicholas Local Statement Advisory Number 9
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX  AL142021
417 AM CDT Tue Sep 14 2021

This product covers Southeast Texas

**NICHOLAS CONTINUES TO PRODUCE HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WINDS ALONG
THE SOUTHEAST TEXAS COAST**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm
      Warning has been issued for Brazoria Islands and Coastal
      Brazoria
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Inland Jackson
    - The Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning have been
      cancelled and a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for
      Coastal Matagorda and Matagorda Islands
    - The Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning have been
      cancelled for Coastal Jackson

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Matagorda,
      Fort Bend, Inland Brazoria, Inland Galveston, Inland Harris,
      Inland Matagorda, Matagorda Islands, Northern Liberty, Southern
      Liberty, and Wharton
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Bolivar Peninsula, Brazoria Islands, Chambers, Coastal
      Brazoria, Coastal Galveston, Coastal Harris, and Galveston
      Island

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 50 miles west of Galveston TX or about 30 miles northwest
      of Freeport TX
    - 29.3N 95.6W
    - Storm Intensity 70 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 9 mph

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

Nicholas is beginning to weaken as it moves inland over Southeast Texas
early this morning, and is again designated a tropical storm. The
hurricane warnings have been canceled, with tropical storm warnings
still in effect from Matagorda to Cameron, Louisiana.

Heavy rain continues near the coast, but has begun to subside across
the rest of the area, and so the flash flood watch has been trimmed
to include only Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Liberty counties,
as well as coastal Harris County. In this watch area, there is still
potential for flash flooding from rain rates exceeding two inches per
hour. The storm surge warning has been discontinued from Port O'Connor
to Sargent as winds have become offshore as the storm moves to the
northeast of the area. However, a coastal flood advisory remains for
lingering, lesser amounts of coastal flooding this morning. 3-5 feet of
storm surge is still possible from Sargent to Sabine Pass, including
Galveston Bay where onshore flow persists this morning.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Coastal Southeast Texas. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having additional
extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
      become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
      Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
      underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
      Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the rest of Southeast Texas. Remain well guarded against dangerous
flood waters having additional limited to
significant impacts.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
the immediate Southeast Texas Coast. Remain well sheltered from
life-threatening wind having additional extensive
impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
      Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
      access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the rest of Southeast Texas. Remain well sheltered from
dangerous wind having additional limited to
significant impacts.

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts along the Southeast Texas Coast. 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.

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

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
the Southeast Texas Coastal Plain. 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:
For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind,
falling trees, and flooding at your location.

Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all clear
to return.

* 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.

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

If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic
rise in water levels.

* 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 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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