XOUS54 KWBC 251530 CAPHGX NWS-IDP-PROD-4410275 w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov 2020-08-25T10:29:00-05:00 Actual Alert Public IPAWSv1.0 en-US Met Tropical Cyclone Statement Monitor Expected Moderate Likely SAME HLS NationalWeatherService HLS 2020-08-25T10:29:00-05:00 2020-08-25T10:29:00-05:00 2020-08-25T18:30:00-05:00 NWS Houston/Galveston TX Tropical Cyclone Statement issued August 25 at 10:29AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX This product covers Southeast Texas **Hurricane Laura Aiming For The Northwest Gulf Coast** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Brazoria Islands, Inland Brazoria, Inland Harris, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning and the Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning for Chambers, Coastal Galveston, Coastal Harris, and Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning and a Storm Surge Warning have been issued for Southern Liberty - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Inland Galveston, Northern Liberty, and Polk - The Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning and the Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Coastal Brazoria - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Fort Bend, Grimes, Houston, Madison, and Waller * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Fort Bend, Grimes, Houston, Inland Brazoria, Inland Harris, Madison, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for Brazoria Islands - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Chambers, Coastal Galveston, Coastal Harris, Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula, and Southern Liberty - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Inland Galveston, Northern Liberty, and Polk - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Coastal Brazoria * STORM INFORMATION: - About 620 miles southeast of Galveston TX - 23.7N 87.0W - Storm Intensity 75 mph - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 16 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Laura continues its trek through the southern Gulf of Mexico. As of 10 am CDT, Laura is moving west-northwest around 16 mph with maximum winds of 75 mph. Laura will be moving through an environment with favorable conditions for strengthening and is expected to become a major hurricane by landfall Wednesday night in either southwest Louisiana or Southeast Texas. Hurricane warnings are now in effect in the Galveston Bay area, as well as Polk County. A tropical storm warning covers much of the rest of Southeast Texas east of the Brazos River. The track has been slowly shifting to the west since yesterday and additional adjustments to the track may be necessary today. This may require additional warnings further down the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast. Specific impacts will be strongly dependent on the exact track and intensity of the storm when it makes landfall. Stay alert to the latest forecast information! POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive impacts across the Bolivar Peninsula. Potential impacts in this area include: - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss. - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded. Also, protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across the rest of the Galveston Bay area. Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across the rest of the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast to Matagorda Bay. * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts across the eastern Galveston Bay area. Potential impacts in this area include: - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Widespread power and communications outages. Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible limited to extensive impacts across the western Galveston Bay area and down the Texas Gulf Coast to Matagorda Bay. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across the Galveston Bay area and Pineywoods. 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 rest of Southeast Texas. * EVACUATIONS: Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders. If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra time to get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your vehicle ahead of time. * 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. If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have pets. Be sure to check with local officials for the latest information as shelter rules and procedures may be different this year! Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit. It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter. * 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 http://www.weather.gov NWSheadline Hurricane Laura Aiming For The Northwest Gulf Coast EAS-ORG WXR PIL HGXHLSHGX BLOCKCHANNEL CMAS BLOCKCHANNEL EAS BLOCKCHANNEL NWEM Fort Bend; Grimes; Trinity; Montgomery; Brazos; Inland Harris; Coastal Brazoria; San Jacinto; Madison; Brazoria Islands; Inland Matagorda; Coastal Matagorda; Austin; Walker; Wharton; Washington; Colorado; Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula; Houston; Coastal Galveston; Polk; Matagorda Islands; Chambers; Coastal Jackson; Burleson; Waller; Inland Jackson; Southern Liberty; Coastal Harris; Northern Liberty; Inland Galveston; Inland Brazoria UGC TXZ227 UGC TXZ198 UGC TXZ164 UGC TXZ199 UGC TXZ196 UGC TXZ213 UGC TXZ337 UGC TXZ178 UGC TXZ176 UGC TXZ437 UGC TXZ236 UGC TXZ336 UGC TXZ211 UGC TXZ177 UGC TXZ226 UGC TXZ197 UGC TXZ210 UGC TXZ438 UGC TXZ163 UGC TXZ338 UGC TXZ179 UGC TXZ436 UGC TXZ214 UGC TXZ335 UGC TXZ195 UGC TXZ212 UGC TXZ235 UGC TXZ300 UGC TXZ313 UGC TXZ200 UGC TXZ238 UGC TXZ237 SAME 048157 SAME 048185 SAME 048455 SAME 048339 SAME 048041 SAME 048201 SAME 048039 SAME 048407 SAME 048313 SAME 048321 SAME 048015 SAME 048471 SAME 048481 SAME 048477 SAME 048089 SAME 048167 SAME 048225 SAME 048373 SAME 048071 SAME 048239 SAME 048051 SAME 048473 SAME 048291