Full Notification

...STORM SURGE WATCH IN EFFECT... ...HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT... A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation levels are possible somewhere within this area and within the next 48 hours

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Slidell - Mandeville - Covington

* WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 45-55 mph with gusts to 75 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Saturday evening until Sunday afternoon - CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Moderate - Emergency planning should include a reasonable threat for strong tropical storm force wind of 58 to 73 mph. - To be safe, earnestly prepare for the potential of significant wind impacts. Efforts should now be underway to secure all properties. - Dangerous wind is possible. Failure to adequately shelter may result in injury. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - 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, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines.

* STORM SURGE - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Life-threatening storm surge possible - Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 4-7 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas - Window of concern: Begins early Saturday morning - CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: High - Emergency plans should include a reasonable threat for major storm surge flooding of greater than 6 feet above ground. - To be safe, aggressively prepare for the potential of extensive storm surge flooding impacts. Evacuation efforts should now be brought to completion. Evacuations must be complete before driving conditions become unsafe. - Life-threatening inundation is possible. Failure to heed evacuation orders may result in serious injury, significant loss of life, or human suffering. Leave if evacuation orders are given for your area. Consider voluntary evacuation if recommended. Poor decisions may result in being cut off or needlessly risk lives. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive - Large areas of deep inundation from storm surge flooding. Structural damage to buildings, with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Large sections of escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Severe shoreline erosion. - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.

* FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Peak Rainfall Amounts: 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts - CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Elevated - Emergency planning should include a reasonable threat for minor flooding where peak rainfall totals are near amounts conducive for localized flash flooding and rapid inundation. - To be safe, prepare for the potential of limited flooding rain impacts. - Localized flooding is possible. If flood related watches and warnings are issued, heed recommended actions. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, bayous, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures.

* TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes - CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Elevated - Emergency planning should include a reasonable threat for isolated tornadoes, mostly with shorter and narrower damage paths. - To be safe, prepare for the potential of limited tornado impacts. - Listen for tornado watches and warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly if a tornado approaches. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - 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.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION: - http://emergency.louisiana.gov

* AFFECTED AREAS: ST. TAMMANY