Tropical Cyclone Local Statement

HLSLCH

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**Tropical Storm Edouard Expected To Strengthen Before Landfall This Afternoon**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Northern Calcasieu and Southern Calcasieu

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Lower Jefferson and West Cameron - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for East Cameron - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Hardin, Lower Vermilion, Northern Calcasieu, Northern Orange, Southern Calcasieu, Southern Jasper, Southern Newton, Southern Orange, and Upper Jefferson

* STORM INFORMATION: - About 40 miles south-southeast of Cameron LA or about 110 miles west-southwest of Morgan City LA - 29.3N 93.0W - Storm Intensity 40 mph - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 8 mph

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

Tropical Storm Edouard continues to track west-northwest offshore of the southwest Louisiana Coast toward coastal southeast Texas or extreme southwest Louisiana while becoming better organized. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Calcasieu, Vermilion, and Cameron Parishes including Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes as well as Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, southern Jasper, and southern Newton Counties in Texas. To account for any intensification prior to landfall, a Hurricane Watch has been added for Jefferson County in Texas and western Cameron Parish, east of Calcasieu Pass in Louisiana. Very breezy conditions may also occur in Calcasieu Parish as well as Tyler, northern Newton, and northern Jasper Counties. A Storm Surge Warning is now in effect from High Island, Tx to Cameron, LA accounting 3 to 5 feet, while east of Cameron to Vermilion / Cameron Parish line accounts for 1 to 3 feet. The forecast track remains largely unchanged with a landfall expected near or west of Sabine, TX. Flooding rainfall threat remains primarily along the coastal parishes in southwest Louisiana and into Southeast Texas.

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

* SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across coastal Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Potential impacts in this area 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.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across South Central Louisiana.

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

* WIND: Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. Potential impacts in this area include: - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines.

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

* FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. 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 south central Louisiana.

* TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southwest Louisiana and 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.

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.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

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 Lake Charles LA around 10 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.