WTUS84 KBRO 091513 HLSBRO TXZ248>255-351-353>355-451-454-455-092315- Tropical Storm Francine Local Statement Advisory Number 4 National Weather Service Brownsville TX AL062024 1013 AM CDT Mon Sep 9 2024 This product covers The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas **DISTURBANCE BECOMES TROPICAL STORM FRANCINE** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Cameron Island, Coastal Cameron, Coastal Willacy, and Willacy Island * STORM INFORMATION: - About 260 miles southeast of Brownsville TX or about 290 miles south-southeast of Port Mansfield TX - 23.0N 94.9W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 5 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ As of 10 AM CDT, Tropical Storm Francine has formed in the Bay of Campeche. Francine is moving to the north-northwest near 5 mph. A slow northwestward to northward motion is expected over the next day or so, followed by a faster motion to the northeast beginning late Tuesday. On the forecast track, Francine is expected to move just offshore of the northern Gulf Coast of Mexico through Tuesday, and approach the Louisiana and Upper Texas coastline on Wednesday. Tropical Storm watches remain in effect for coastal Willacy and Cameron counties including the barrier islands counties, southern portions of the Laguna Madre and the nearshore Gulf waters, as well as the offshore Gulf of Mexico waters. Impacts have begun and include heavy rainfall, high rip currents, coastal flooding, dangerous seas, and gusty winds. Rainfall will vary west to east depending on the exact track of the system with current forecasted amounts of generally 3 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts, mainly along the coast. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across coastal portions of Deep South Texas. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Arroyos and larger creeks may quickly become swollen with swift 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. Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across the mid to lower Rio Grande Valley. * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas. Potential impacts 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. * SURGE: Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across coastal areas. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and exposed parking lots could become covered with some surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, or near an already swollen arroyo, large creek, or the Rio Grande, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. If you are a visitor, know the name of the county in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their on site disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. * 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 ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Brownsville TX around 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$