ROCK wrote:any one have Jeff Linders email update?
***Major hurricane impact into the TX coast likely Friday night***
***Preparations to protect life and property MUST be rushed to completion in the hurricane warning area***
Hurricane Warning in effect from Port Mansfield to Sargent (extended NE from Matagorda)
Tropical Storm Warning in effect from Sargent to High Island
Storm Surge Warning from Port Mansfield to High Island
Discussion:
USAF plane continues to show pressure falls in Harvey now down to 976mb…that is over 25mb since 400am this morning…which is rapid intensification. The convective pattern continues to look well organized with deep convection wrapped completely around the center and a well formed eyewall with good banding. There is nothing to prevent intensification up to landfall.
Intensity:
Trying to keep up with the intensity changes today has been like chasing running water…looking at a solid (mid to strong cat 3 into the mid TX coast) with sustained winds of 125mph. Could be slightly stronger (130-135mph) which would be cat 4. We are splitting hairs on the damage potential which is extreme. Entire structures will fail under these types of wind loads (Rockport to Port O Connor)
Track:
There has been little change in the track reasoning today which will bring a devastating hurricane to the TX coast. Latest ECMWF run is even slower and now stalls Harvey on the coast or just offshore. NHC guidance keeps it moving just inland. We must get the center inland or the storm will not weaken. Latest reasoning also turns Harvey ESE/E and track it up the upper TX coast to be located over Galveston next Tuesday.
Impacts:
Storm Surge:
Storm surge inundation (will update to the 400pm ADV at 530pm)
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphic ... n#contents Life threatening storm surge is likely along the coast from north of Corpus Christi to Sargent including Matagorda Bay.
I want to be very clear on the storm surge levels as there is some confusion on what these numbers are indicating.
All the numbers listed below are ABOVE THE GROUND, not above sea level
Mustang Island to Sargent including Matagorda Bay: 6-12 feet (above the ground)
Sargent to Jamaica Beach: 5-8 ft (above the ground)
Jamaica Beach to High Island: 2-4 ft (above the ground
Galveston Bay (Seabrook, Shoreacres, Nassau Bay, Kemah, San Leon: 2-4 ft (above the ground)
Rainfall:
Dangerous and life threatening flood event is likely over a very large area
Flash Flood Watch issued until further notice
Widespread rainfall amounts of 10-20 inches with isolated totals of 30 inches is possible. Clearly this will be a potentially catastrophic flooding event for a large portion of SC/SE TX and the coastal bend. Major flooding of the Harris County bayous and creeks is very possible along with major to record flooding on some of the rivers over SE TX and the coastal bend.
Winds:
Devastating core winds within the eyewall of Harvey will impact areas from Rockport to Port O Connor
Rockport to Port O Connor: 120-125mph g 130+
Matagorda Bay: 110-115mph g 125
Port O Connor to Sargent: 80-90mph
Sargent to Surfside: 50-60mph
Harris County including Galveston Bay: 45-50mph
The following impacts are expected from Matagorda to Rockport:
- Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof
and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage
greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations
may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
- Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access
routes impassable.
- Widespread power and communications outages.
Evacuation Orders:
Mandatory Evacuation: Brazoria County (Gulf of Mexico to the Intracoastal Canal)
Mandatory Evacuation: all Calhoun County (effective immediately)
Mandatory Evacuation: Matagorda County (South of FM 521 and FM 2611 in Sargent), all areas S of FM 521 in Matagorda County, all areas south of Business 35 W of Palacios. All persons under age of 18 must leave the evacuation area
Port Aransas/Aransas Pass: Mandatory evacuation (effective immediately)
Mandatory Evacuation: all San Patricio County (effective at noon today)
Mandatory Evacuation: City of Ingleside (effective immediately)
Mandatory Evacuation: All Refugio County (effective immediately)
Voluntary Evacuation: all Jackson County (effective immediately)
Voluntary Evacuation: western Nueces County
Voluntary Evacuation: all Victoria County
Voluntary Evacuation: all Bolivar Peninsula
Voluntary Evacuation: City of Corpus Christi (effective at noon today)
cone graphic
[Image of WPC QPF U.S. rainfall potential]