WTUS84 KBRO 100918 HLSBRO TXZ248>255-351-353>355-451-454-455-101730- Tropical Storm Francine Local Statement Advisory Number 7 National Weather Service Brownsville TX AL062024 418 AM CDT Tue Sep 10 2024 This product covers The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas **FRANCINE LIKELY TO BECOME A HURRICANE TODAY** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Cameron Island, Coastal Cameron, Coastal Willacy, and Willacy Island - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Coastal Kenedy, Inland Cameron, Inland Willacy, and Kenedy Island * STORM INFORMATION: - About 130 miles south-southeast of South Padre Island TX or about 170 miles south-southeast of Port Mansfield TX - 24.4N 96.2W - Storm Intensity 65 mph - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 5 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ As of 4 AM CDT, Tropical Storm Francine is located 120 miles south- southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande and moving north-northwest at 5 mph. A continued northwestward to northward motion is expected through this morning, followed by a turn and a faster motion to the northeast beginning this afternoon. On the forecast track, Francine is expected to move just offshore of the northern Gulf Coast of Mexico today, and make landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Coastal Cameron, Coastal Willacy, Cameron Island and Willacy Island. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Inland Cameron County and Inland Willacy County. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Coastal Kenedy County, including Kenedy Island. Impacts include heavy rainfall, high rip currents, coastal flooding, dangerous seas, and gusty winds. Rainfall amounts will generally be highest closer to the immediate coast, with forecast rainfall amounts ranging generally from 3 to 6 inches. However, locally higher amounts cannot be ruled out, especially across areas where persistent moderate to heavy rain bands develop. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across coastal counties. 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. Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across the remainder of Deep South Texas. Elsewhere across The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * WIND: Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across coastal Cameron and Willacy counties including the Islands. Potential impacts in this area include: - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. Elsewhere across The Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across coastal Kenedy county including the Island. 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: 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 in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, 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 ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Brownsville TX around 10 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$