This product covers the ArkLaTex and Four States region

LAURA MOVING ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO AND FORECAST TO BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE BEFORE MAKING LANDFALL WEDNESDAY

NEW INFORMATION
CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Angelina, Grant, Nacogdoches, Natchitoches, Sabine, Sabine, and San Augustine

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Cherokee, Claiborne, De Soto, Gregg, Harrison, Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Marion, Ouachita, Panola, Red
River, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Union, Upshur, Webster, Winn, and Wood

CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Angelina, Grant, Nacogdoches, Natchitoches, Sabine, Sabine, and San Augustine

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Cherokee, Claiborne, De Soto, Gregg, Harrison, Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Marion, Ouachita, Panola, Red
River, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Union, Upshur, Webster, Winn, and Wood

STORM INFORMATION:
About 700 miles southeast of Lufkin TX or about 670 miles southeast of Natchitoches LA

• 23.7N 87.0W

• Storm Intensity 75 mph

• Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 16 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
Hurricane Laura is becoming better organized over the southeast Gulf of Mexico. Laura is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane as it approaches the coast of Southwest Louisiana and Upper Texas on Wednesday and is forecast to become a major hurricane before landfall Wednesday night. Laura should weaken as it heads inland late Wednesday night into Thursday, but should still bring considerable impacts to portions of the Four State region.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across Deep East Texas and portions of west-central Louisiana. 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 impassable. Large areas with power and communications outages. Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to significant impacts across the remainder of locations in northwestern Louisiana and eastern Texas, generally along and south of Interstate Twenty corridor. 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:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across far eastern Texas, northwest and west-central Louisiana, and southwestern Arkansas. 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. Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across the remainder of East Texas and the Arklamiss.

TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the ArkLaTex. 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.

OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees or a manufactured home, plan to move to safe shelter. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of others. When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.

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

Target Areas:
Columbia
Hempstead
Howard
Lafayette
Little River
Miller
Nevada
Sevier
Union