XOUS54 KWBC 260335 CAPHGX NWS-IDP-PROD-4412014 w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov 2020-08-25T22:35:00-05:00 Actual Alert Public IPAWSv1.0 en-US Met Tropical Cyclone Statement Monitor Expected Moderate Likely SAME HLS NationalWeatherService HLS 2020-08-25T22:35:00-05:00 2020-08-25T22:35:00-05:00 2020-08-26T06:45:00-05:00 NWS Houston/Galveston TX Tropical Cyclone Statement issued August 25 at 10:35PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX This product covers Southeast Texas **LAURA GETTING BETTER ORGANIZED. EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL NEAR TX/LA BORDER WEDNESDAY NIGHT AS A MAJOR HURRICANE** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * 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 430 miles southeast of Galveston TX - 25.2N 89.5W - Storm Intensity 90 mph - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 17 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Laura continues its trek through the southern Gulf of Mexico and has begun to get better organized. As of 10 pm CDT, Laura now has maximum sustained winds of 90 mph with a continued movement towards the west-northwest at around 17 mph. Additional strengthening is expected as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to reach major hurricane strength with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph at landfall. Laura is expected to make landfall Wednesday night near the Texas/Lousiana border. Although, tropical storm force winds may reach portions of southeast Texas as early as Wednesday afternoon. The strongest winds and heaviest rains occuring overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning. Laura will bring a threat of high winds, storm surge, and heavy rainfall. Hurricane Warnings remain in effect for the Galveston Bay area, as well as Liberty and Polk counties. A tropical storm warning covers much of the rest of Southeast Texas east of the Brazos River. A storm surge warning is in effect along the coast from San Luis Pass up through High Island and continues further north along the Texas coastline into Lousiana. A coastal flood advisory is in effect around the Matagorda Bay area. 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 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. Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * 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 life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across the Galveston Bay area and Pineywoods. Potential 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. Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to significant impacts across the rest of Southeast Texas. Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * 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. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit. 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. 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 http://www.weather.gov NWSheadline LAURA GETTING BETTER ORGANIZED. EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL NEAR TX/LA BORDER WEDNESDAY NIGHT AS A MAJOR HURRICANE 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