Tropical Cyclone Local Statement

HLSHGX

This product covers Southeast Texas

AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND EDOUARD IS STRENGTHENING AS IT APPROACHES THE COAST NEAR THE TEXAS AND LOUISIANA BORDER.

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None

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

* STORM INFORMATION: - About 90 miles east of Galveston TX - 29.4N 93.3W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 8 mph

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

Tropical Storm Edouard is continuing to strengthen as it approaches the Upper Texas Coast. The system's outer rainbands are moving further inland into areas in and around Galveston Bay. These rainbands will continue to push inland today and this evening. On the latest NHC forecast track, the center of Edouard is forecast to move inland over southeast Texas tonight. The primary concern for Southeast Texas continues to be heavy rainfall. The heaviest showers and thunderstorms could produce 3-4" per hour rainfall rates, which would result in flash flooding. Residual tropical moisture could result in scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday as well.

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

* FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across Southeast Texas. 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 portions of Southeast Texas.

* WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Chambers and Southern Liberty Counties. 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: Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across areas east of I-45. 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 Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

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 4 PM, or sooner if conditions warrant.