Tropical Cyclone Local Statement

HLSHGX

This product covers Southeast Texas

**Tropical Depression Five to Bring Locally Heavy Rainfall for Portions of Southeast Texas**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Bolivar Peninsula and Chambers

* STORM INFORMATION: - About 260 miles east-southeast of Galveston TX - 28.0N 90.8W - Storm Intensity 35 mph - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 5 mph

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

Tropical Depression Five is currently about 120 miles south of the Louisiana coast, slowly moving west-northwestward towards the northwestern Gulf Coast. It is expected to become a Tropical Storm within the next 24 hours or so, before making landfall along the Upper Texas coast, somewhere within the Warning area. Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall associated are expected to begin as early as late tonight and lasting into late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning. 3-5 inches of rain with isolated amounts of 6-9 inches are expected with the highest totals occuring east of I-45. Rainfall rates will exceed 3-4 inches per hour at times in the heaviest downpours, which can lead to flash flooding especially in urban and vulnerable areas.

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

* FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across mainly for areas east of I-45. 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 across the rest of Southeast Texas..

* WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Bolivar Peninsula and Chambers County. Potential impacts in this area 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.

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

* SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across Port Bolivar to High Island. 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 parking lots become overspread with 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 to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

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

* TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southeast Texas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials.

* 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.

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.

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from 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

NEXT UPDATE -----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston TX around , or sooner if conditions warrant.