Tropical Cyclone Statement

HLSLCH

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**TROPICAL STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE LOUISIANA COAST. DANGEROUS FLASH FLOODING CONTINUES OVER PORTIONS OF TEXAS AND LOUISIANA FROM POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE ONE.**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for East Cameron, Lower Iberia, Lower St. Mary, Lower Vermilion, and West Cameron

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for East Cameron, Lower Iberia, Lower St. Mary, Lower Vermilion, and West Cameron - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Lower Jefferson

* STORM INFORMATION: - About 330 miles southwest of Lake Charles LA or about 290 miles southwest of Port Arthur TX - 27.3N 97.6W - Storm Intensity 30 mph - Movement Northeast or 45 degrees at 6 mph

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

An area of low pressure centered over south Texas will move over the western gulf tonight into Wednesday where it is expected to develop into a tropical depression or weak tropical storm before making landfall along the southeast Texas or southwest Louisiana coasts Wednesday evening into Wednesday night. A tropical storm warning has been issued for coastal portions of Louisiana and the adjacent coastal waters. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Southeast Texas. Flash flooding is already ongoing and additional long duration heavy rainfall from the tropical cyclone will exacerbate flooding across southeast Texas as well as southwest, central and south central Louisiana Wednesday and Thursday. Rainfall totals of 8-10 inches are expected in some areas. Coastal flooding with surge values of 2-4 feet are expected Wednesday. Wind gusts of 25-40 MPH can be expected along the southwest and south central Louisiana coasts with wind gusts up to 25 MPH inland.

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

* FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Potential impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

* SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across coastal portions of southeast Texas as well as southwest and south central Louisiana. 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.

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

* WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across coastal portions of southwest and south central Louisiana. 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 Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES: Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. 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 boats pulled from moorings.

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

* EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

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!

If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options.

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 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.