Tropical Cyclone Local Statement

HLSLCH

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**TROPICAL STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE UPPER TEXAS AND SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA COAST**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Lower Vermilion - A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for East Cameron, Lower Jefferson, and West Cameron

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

* STORM INFORMATION: - About 170 miles southeast of Sabine Pass TX or about 150 miles southeast of Cameron LA - 28.2N 91.5W - Storm Intensity 35 mph - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 6 mph

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

Tropical Depression Five is located about 100 miles south of Morgan City moving WNW at 6MPH. A west-northwestward to northwestward motion is forecast during the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of the system is predicted to reach the northwestern Gulf Coast within the warning area on Tuesday and move inland over southeast Texas on Tuesday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected, and the depression is likely to become a tropical storm this evening.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1011 mb (29.86 inches).

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

* FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across SETX. 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 SWLA.

* SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across Coastal Southeast Texas and Southwest 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.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across lower Vermilion Parish.

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

* WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Southeast Texas and Southwest 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.

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

* EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

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 Lake Charles LA around 11 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.