ISSUED: 4:37 AM AUG. 26, 2020 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
This product covers Southeast Texas
LAURA RAPIDLY INTENSIFYING IN THE CENTRAL GULF, EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL NEAR TX/LA BORDER TONIGHT
NEW INFORMATION
- CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge
Warning for Brazoria Islands - CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Fort Bend, Grimes,
Houston, Inland Brazoria, Inland Harris, Madison, Montgomery,
San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
Chambers, Coastal Galveston, Coastal Harris, Galveston Island
and Bolivar Peninsula, and Southern Liberty - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Inland Galveston, Northern
Liberty, and Polk - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
for Brazoria Islands and Coastal Brazoria - STORM INFORMATION:
- About 330 miles southeast of Galveston TX
- 26.1N 90.7W
- Storm Intensity 110 mph
- Movement Northwest or 310 degrees at 15 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
Hurricane Laura has rapidly intensified in the central Gulf of Mexico to
a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 MPH, just one
MPH short of reaching major hurricane status. It is expected to continue to
move northwestward towards northwestern Gulf Coast through the day today.
Additional strengthening is expected as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico
and is expected to ultimately strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane with
maximum sustained winds of 130 mph by this afternoon. Not much change in the
expected track compared to previous advisories, with the expected landfall
occurring tonight near the Texas/Lousiana border. Although, tropical storm
force winds may reach portions of southeast Texas as early as this afternoon.
The strongest winds and heaviest rains occuring overnight tonight into
Thursday morning.
Laura is a very dangerous storm for eastern Texas and into Lousiana. It will
bring life-threatening storm surge from San Luis Pass, Texas to the Mouth of
the Mississippi, widespread damaging winds, and heavy rainfall. Actions to
protect life and property should be rushed to completion as conditions will
rapidly deteriorate tonight.
Hurricane Warnings remain in effect for the Galveston Bay area, as well as
Liberty and Polk counties. A tropical storm warning covers much of the rest
of Southeast Texas east of the Brazos River. A storm surge warning is in
effect along the coast from Freeport up through High Island and
continues further north along the Texas coastline into Lousiana. A coastal
flood advisory is in effect around the Matagorda Bay area.
Specific impacts will be strongly dependent on the exact track and
intensity of the storm when it makes landfall. Stay alert to the
latest forecast information!