####018006878#### WTUS84 KBRO 220906 HLSBRO TXZ248>255-351-353>355-451-454-455-221715- Tropical Storm Harold Local Statement Advisory Number 4 National Weather Service Brownsville TX AL092023 406 AM CDT Tue Aug 22 2023 This product covers The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas **TROPICAL STORM HAROLD HEADED FOR THE SOUTH TEXAS COAST** **HEAVY RAIN BANDS AND STRONG WINDS BEGINNING TO SPREAD ONSHORE IN THE WARNING AREA... NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Brooks, Cameron Island, Coastal Cameron, Coastal Kenedy, Coastal Willacy, Inland Kenedy, Inland Willacy, Kenedy Island, Northern Hidalgo, and Willacy Island * STORM INFORMATION: - About 140 miles east of Brownsville TX or about 150 miles east-southeast of Port Mansfield TX - 25.8N 95.1W - Storm Intensity 45 mph - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 18 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ At 400 AM CDT, Tropical Storm Harold continues to move slightly north of due west towards the lower Texas coast. The ill-defined center of the tropical cyclone is on track to approach the lower Texas coast mid to late morning Tuesday with a small window of opportunity for additional strengthening before making landfall. Tropical Storm conditions are likely across the barrier Islands, coastal Cameron and into Willacy, Kenedy Counties this morning and are possible across inland areas of Brooks and portions of northern Hidalgo Counties late this morning and early afternoon. Clusters and bands of showers and some thunderstorms are approaching the coast prior to sunrise and will continue to spread inland through the morning and afternoon. These bands will contain heavy rainfall and gusty winds with increasing coverage and intensity as the center of Harold moves inland. Isolated tornadoes, especially north of where the center of the tropical storms crosses the coast are possible. Minor coastal flooding or run-up to the dunes is possible, especially around high tide at 5:38 AM Tuesday morning. 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. - Arroyos and larger creeks may quickly become swollen with swift 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. * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas. Potential impacts 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. * TORNADOES: Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the northern Ranchlands. 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 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 exposed parking lots could become covered with some 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 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. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * 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. 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 Brownsville TX around 10 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$