Hurricane Local Statement
Hurricane Harvey Local Statement Advisory Number 24
TXZ163-164-176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-261745-
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX AL092017
444 AM CDT Sat Aug 26 2017
This product covers Southeast Texas (including Montgomery County)
**HARVEY MOVING SLOWLY INLAND OVER SOUTH TEXAS AND IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE CATASTROPHIC FLOODING OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm
Warning has been issued for Jackson and Matagorda
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
for Chambers and Harris
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Austin, Colorado,
Fort Bend, Liberty, Waller, and Wharton
- A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
for Brazoria, Galveston, Jackson, and Matagorda
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 160 miles west-southwest of Galveston TX or about 70
miles west of Matagorda TX
- 28.5N 97.2W
- Storm Intensity 100 mph
- Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 6 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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Hurricane Harvey has weakened to a Category 2 as it continues to push inland along the Middle Texas Coast. The primary impact from Harvey over Southeast Texas remains prolonged significant heavy rainfall that will induce extreme widespread flooding through at least the beginning of next week. Flash flooding has already begun across the southwestern portion of Southeast Texas. Tropical storm force winds are possible through around noon Saturday for the southwestern portions of Southeast Texas. With the strongest winds tonight, storm surge will be slow to recede through Sunday, particularly west of Freeport. Elevated tide levels will continue through Tuesday. Tornadoes will continue to form this morning, especially across the coastal counties and first inland tier. Again, the primary emphasis and greatest threat to life and property will be the extreme rainfall amounts that will likely lead to a potentially catastrophic and prolonged flash flooding event over the coming 3 to 5 days.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
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* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain will continue to unfold across Southeast Texas over the next 3 to 5 days. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having possible catastrophic impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
– Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues.
– Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
– Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across the Matagorda Bay area. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind having possible 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 southwestern portion of Southeast Texas. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind having possible limited to extensive impacts.
* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across the Upper Texas Coast, primarily west of Freeport. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having possible devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts 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.
Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding across the Upper Texas Coast east of Freeport. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts.
Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding across northern Galveston and Trinity Bay. Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts.
* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Southeast Texas, particularly across the coastal and second tier counties. Remain well braced against tornadoes event having additional limited impacts. If realized, these 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.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
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* EVACUATIONS:
IMMINENT/ONGOING PHASE – Do not return to evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and flood waters abate.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
-Now is the time to remain safely sheltered from the storm. Stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Locate your battery powered radio and flashlight from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Keep these items close.
-During the peak of the storm, keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and tennis shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the elements.
-Continue to keep your cell phone well charged for as long as possible. If you lose power, use it more sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not overload communications systems with idle chatter.
-Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane. Within the eye, weather conditions may temporarily improve which can be misleading. Once the eye passes, the wind will change direction and return to dangerous speeds. Heavy rain will also return. Be smart and remain safely hidden from the storm.
-Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos. Be wise and avoid becoming another statistic.
-Be ready to move to the identified safe room if your home or shelter begins to fail. Quickly move to an interior room on the lowest floor.
-Put as many sturdy walls between you and the storm as you can. Protect your head and body.
-When major hurricanes make landfall, extreme winds bring a tremendous threat to life and cause devastating to catastrophic damage. During landfall, listen for extreme wind warnings which indicate the exact timing and location of these incredible life-threatening winds. If issued for you area, move to the safest place within your home or shelter. Take the same life-saving actions as if it were a violent tornado.
* 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
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston TX around 7:30 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.
