Tropical Cyclone Local Statement

HLSLIX

This product covers Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi

...ISAIAS QUICKLY INTENSIFYING, FORECAST TO BE A HURRICANE BY THURSDAY MORNING...

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Storm Surge Watch has been cancelled for Upper St. Bernard

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Southern Harrison and Southern Jackson - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for Eastern Orleans, Lower Plaquemines, Lower St. Bernard, Southeast St. Tammany, and Southern Hancock - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Northern Harrison and Northern Jackson

* STORM INFORMATION: - About 530 miles south-southwest of New Orleans LA or about 580 miles south-southwest of Gulfport MS - 22.7N 92.9W - Storm Intensity 65 mph - Movement East-northeast or 65 degrees at 8 mph

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

Tropical Storm Isaias is currently in the southwest Gulf and will continue to strengthen as it moves to the east-northeast and eventually the northeast through Friday. Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to bring the threat of tropical storm force wind gusts, locally heavy rainfall, and storm surge of 3 to 5 feet to coastal portions of southeast Louisiana from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Rigolets and from Bay Saint Louis westward in coastal Mississippi. Isaias is forecast to bring the threat of hurricane force wind gusts, locally heavy rainfall, and storm surge of 5 to 7 feet from Bay Saint Louis eastward in coastal Mississippi. The most likely time for impacts will be Friday into Saturday.

Storm surge watches are in effect from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Alabama and Mississippi state line. Hurricane watches are in effect from Ocean Springs to the Alabama and Mississippi state line. Tropical storm watches are in effect from the Jefferson and Plaquemine Parish line in southeast Louisiana to Ocean Springs in coastal Mississippi.

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

* WIND: Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts for locations east of Ocean Springs in coastal Mississippi. Potential impacts in this area 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.

Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to significant impacts for locations west of Ocean Springs in coastal Mississippi and for extreme coastal portions of southeast Louisiana from the mouth of the Mississippi River eastward.

* SURGE: Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible extensive impacts for coastal locations east of Ocean Springs in coastal Mississippi. 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, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible significant impacts for coastal locations west of Ocean Springs in coastal Mississippi and for locations outside of the hurricane risk reduction system in southeast Louisiana from the Pearl River south to the mouth of the Mississippi.

* FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts for locations east of Ocean Springs in coastal Mississippi. 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.

Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across the remainder of coastal Mississippi.

Elsewhere across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:

Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm.

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, plan to move to safe shelter.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe.

Be sure to let friends and family members know of your intentions for weathering the storm and your whereabouts. Have someone located away from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital contact information with others. Keep cell phones handy and charged.

Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations.

If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast.

* 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 New Orleans LA around 11 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.