Hurricane Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 30
National Weather Service Shreveport LA AL132020
522 AM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020
This product covers ArkLaTex and the Four State Region
**LAURA MOVING INLAND TOWARD CENTRAL LOUISIANA AS A POTENT
HURRICANE**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Tropical Storm Warning has been upgraded to a Hurricane
Warning for Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Grant,
Jackson, Lincoln, Webster, and Winn
- The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm
Warning has been issued for Angelina and Nacogdoches
- The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Cherokee and
Morris
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Bienville, Bossier, Caddo,
Claiborne, De Soto, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red
River, Sabine, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Webster, and Winn
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Angelina, Bowie,
Caldwell, Cass, Columbia, Gregg, Harrison, Hempstead, Howard,
La Salle, Lafayette, Little River, Marion, Miller, Nacogdoches,
Nevada, Ouachita, Panola, Rusk, Sevier, Union, and Union
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 140 miles south of Shreveport LA
- 30.5N 93.4W
- Storm Intensity 120 mph
- Movement North or 355 degrees at 15 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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Hurricane Laura has moved inland, but remains an intense hurricane
moving north northwest toward Central Louisiana. Laura will be
weakening through the course of the day, but is now expected to
retain hurricane strength as it presses into North Louisiana later
this morning into midday, weakening to a tropical storm thereafter.
Laura is tracking inland a little farther east than previously
anticipated and will bring hurricane force wind gusts a little
farther east and north than previously anticipated as well. As
Laura continues to move inland, damaging wind gusts, inland
flooding, and isolated tornadoes are expected across much of
the area, although it is increasingly looking like some locations
in East Texas along and west of a Jacksonville to Clarksville line
will be spared the worst of the impacts.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
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* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across West Central and Northwest Louisiana and portions
of Deep East Texas. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
damage. Mobile homes severely damaged. Damage accentuated by
airborne projectiles.
- Many large trees uprooted along with fences and roadway
signs blown over. Downed trees will become more common as
the ground gets saturated with heavy rain.
- Some roads impassable from debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Several access routes could
become impassable.
- Large areas with power and communications outages.
Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across Southwest and South Central Arkansas,
the remainder of Central Louisiana, and most of the rest of East
Texas.
- Limited roof and shingle damage possible.
- Large branches downed and some trees uprooted. Downed trees
will become more common as the ground gets saturated with
heavy rain.
- Some roads may become blocked by downed trees.
- Scattered areas with power and communications outages.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across Southwest and South Central Arkansas, North
Louisiana west of a Dry Prong to Monroe line, East Texas east of an
Alto to Kilgore and Clarksville line, and also McCurtain County
Oklahoma. Potential impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and
rescues.
- Small streams, creeks, bayous, and ditches may rapidly
overflow their banks in multiple places.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities. Many places where flood waters may cover escape
routes. Streets and parking lots become flooded with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
- Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed
out.
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across the rest of the Four State region.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across Southwest and South Central Arkansas, Northern and Central
Louisiana, and portions of East Texas east of a New Boston, to
Marshall, to Nacogdoches line. 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
small boats pulled from moorings.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
No evacuations at this time. Heed instructions from local emergency
management officials. Assess the risk from wind, falling trees, and
flooding at your location. If you decide to move, relocate to a safer
location nearby.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
If in South Central Arkansas or North Louisiana along and north of
Interstate Twenty, you must complete all preparations to protect
life and property in accordance with your emergency plan now. Ensure
you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or
possible flooding. Farther south in Deep East Texas and Central
Louisiana, conditions are degrading too quickly to make any
additional preparations and sheltering in place is probably the
best option.
If in South Central Arkansas and North Louisiana along and north of
Interstate Twenty and heading to a community shelter, become
familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you
have special needs or have pets. Take essential items with you
from your Emergency Supplies Kit.
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.
It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an
emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.
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.
If in South Central Arkansas and North Louisiana along and north of
Interstate Twenty and in a place that is vulnerable to high wind,
such as near large trees or in a manufactured home, consider moving
to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding.
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 Shreveport LA around 8 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
