Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued September 1 at 4:08AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
HLSLCH
This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas
**Tropical Storm Edouard Expected To Strengthen Before Landfall This Afternoon**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Hardin, Northern
Orange, Southern Jasper, Southern Newton, Southern Orange, and
Upper Jefferson
* 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 Orange, Southern Jasper, Southern Newton,
Southern Orange, and Upper Jefferson
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 60 miles south-southeast of Cameron LA or about 110 miles
west-southwest of Morgan City LA
- 29.0N 92.8W
- Storm Intensity 40 mph
- Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 8 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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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 remain in effect for 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
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* 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 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.
* 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 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
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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.