Hurricane and Tropical Storm in Texas, August 26 to 27, 2020

Name: Hurricane and Tropical Storm in Texas, August 26 to 27, 2020
Start: 2020-08-26T18:00
End: 2020-08-27T08:00
Location: Texas

August 26 to 27, 2020 · NWS LCH · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

A tropical wave emerged off of Africa during August 16 and then developed into a depression by the 20th. The system gradually became better organized as it passed across the Greater Antilles.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 6 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 5
Injuries: 18
Property damage: $1.7 billion
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LCH wrote it up.

A tropical wave emerged off of Africa during August 16 and then developed into a depression by the 20th. The system gradually became better organized as it passed across the Greater Antilles. It entered the Gulf of Mexico and became a hurricane on the 25th. Outer bands spread inland during the afternoon of the 26th and it made landfall at Cameron, Louisiana at 1AM local time on the 27th. The west side of the category 4 hurricane impacted Southeast Texas as the centered moved north across west Louisiana and caused damages totaling roughly $1.95 Billion.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Lake Charles, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 26, 5:37 PM CST, 23 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 26, 5:37 PM CST, 23 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
Issued by National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
637 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

.AVIATION...
Conditions will rapidly deteriorate as Laura moves north into the
area tonight with widespread MVFR/areas of IFR ceilings and
visibilities developing. Gusty showers and thunderstorms will
continue early this evening then rain and winds will increase
overnight reaching tropical storm to hurricane force. Winds and
rain will gradually diminish from south to north during Thursday
morning as Laura moves northward and weakens.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 551 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020 by NWS
Brownsville TX/

DISCUSSION...
Very Dangerous Cat 4 Hurricane Laura is bearing down on the SW
coastline of Louisiana and the extreme eastern portions of TX. The
latest guidance from NHC is maintaining Laura as a Cat 4 until
landfall likely resulting in catastrophic storm surge, very
dangerous and destructive winds and flooding rains. The afternoon
forecast issuance contains only small adjustments to the short
term forecast grids through the landfall of Laura and immediately
afterwards.

The eye of Laura is about 115 NM S of LCH moving NW at around 15
mph. Current LCH radar imagery indicates that the northernmost
edge of the rain shield from Laura is starting to move into the SW
Louisiana Coastline.

Residents of SW LA and far eastern TX should finish up any storm
preparations over the next few hours as conditions should
deteriorate steadily later this evening and tonight.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AEX  75  87  75  89 /  70  90  50  80
LCH  77  88  79  88 /  90  90  60  80
LFT  79  88  79  89 /  80  90  60  80
BPT  76  90  80  89 / 100  70  60  70

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Storm Surge Warning for LAZ041>043-052>055-073-074.

     Hurricane Warning for LAZ027-028-030>032-041>043-052-073-074.

     Flash Flood Watch through Thursday evening for LAZ027>033-
     041>045-052>055-073-074.

     Tropical Storm Warning for LAZ029-033-044-045-053>055.

     Hurricane Watch for LAZ053>055.

TX...Storm Surge Warning for TXZ215-216.

     Hurricane Warning for TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262.

     Flash Flood Watch through Thursday evening for TXZ180-201-215-
     216-259>262.

GM...Hurricane Warning for GMZ430-432-450-452-470-472.

     Tropical Storm Warning for GMZ435-455-475.

     Hurricane Watch for GMZ435-455-475.

&&

PREV DISCUSSION...NWS Brownsville
AVIATION...Close/TBW

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 26, 5:36 PM CST, 24 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
Issued by National Weather Service Brownsville TX
636 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

LAZ027-028-030>032-TXZ180-201-259>262-271100-
Vernon-Rapides-Beauregard-Allen-Evangeline-Tyler-Hardin-
Northern Jasper-Northern Newton-Southern Jasper-Southern Newton-
636 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 452 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
...HURRICANE WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Louisiana, southwest
Louisiana, west central Louisiana and southeast Texas.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tornado Watch.
   Flash Flood Watch.
   Hurricane Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Hurricane Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

LAZ053>055-271100-
Iberia-St. Mary-Lower St. Martin-
636 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 452 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
...STORM SURGE WARNING IN EFFECT...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...
...HURRICANE WATCH IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Louisiana.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tornado Watch.
   Flash Flood Watch.
   Storm Surge Warning.
   Hurricane Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Storm Surge Warning.
   Hurricane Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

LAZ041>043-052-073-074-TXZ215-216-271100-
Calcasieu-Jefferson Davis-Acadia-Vermilion-West Cameron-East Cameron-
Jefferson-Orange-
636 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 452 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
...HURRICANE WARNING IN EFFECT...
...STORM SURGE WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Louisiana and
southeast Texas.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tornado Watch.
   Flash Flood Watch.
   Storm Surge Warning.
   Hurricane Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Storm Surge Warning.
   Hurricane Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

LAZ029-033-044-045-271100-
Avoyelles-St. Landry-Lafayette-Upper St. Martin-
636 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 452 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Louisiana and south
central Louisiana.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tornado Watch.
   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

GMZ475-271100-
Waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City LA from
20 to 60 NM-
636 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...
...HURRICANE WATCH IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Gulf of Mexico.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Hurricane Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Hurricane Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

GMZ430-432-450-452-271100-
Sabine Lake-Calcasieu Lake-
Coastal waters from Cameron LA to High Island TX out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from Intracoastal City to Cameron LA out 20 NM-
636 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

...TORNADO WATCH 452 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
...HURRICANE WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Gulf of Mexico and the
coastal lakes and bays of the Gulf of Mexico.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tornado Watch.
   Hurricane Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Hurricane Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

GMZ470-472-271100-
Waters from Cameron LA to High Island TX from 20 to 60 NM-
Waters from Intracoastal City to Cameron LA from 20 to 60 NM-
636 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

...HURRICANE WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Gulf of Mexico.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Hurricane Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Hurricane Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

GMZ435-455-271100-
Vermilion Bay-
Coastal waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City LA
out 20 NM-
636 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

...TORNADO WATCH 452 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...
...HURRICANE WATCH IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Gulf of Mexico and the
coastal lakes and bays of the Gulf of Mexico.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tornado Watch.
   Hurricane Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Hurricane Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 26, 12:30 PM CST, 5 hours 30 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
Issued by National Weather Service Brownsville TX
130 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

LAZ030-041-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-261930-
Calcasieu LA-Beauregard LA-Orange TX-Jefferson TX-Hardin TX-
Southern Newton TX-Northern Newton TX-Northern Jasper TX-
Southern Jasper TX-Tyler TX-
130 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

...A LINE OF TROPICAL SHOWERS AND STORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN
BEAUREGARD AND NORTHWESTERN CALCASIEU PARISHES...NORTHERN
JEFFERSON...SOUTHERN TYLER...SOUTHWESTERN NEWTON...HARDIN...ORANGE
AND SOUTHEASTERN JASPER COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM CDT...

At 128 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated showers and storms along a
line extending from NEAR Old Salem to NEAR Weiss Bluff to 6 miles
east of China. Movement was west or northwest at 45 mph.

Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, Nederland, Port Neches, Lumberton,
Vidor, Bridge City, Silsbee and Woodville.

LAT...LON 3049 9454 3070 9459 3080 9445 3048 9348
      3020 9373 2989 9402 2998 9444 3011 9445
      3011 9460 3049 9473
TIME...MOT...LOC 1828Z 107DEG 38KT 3048 9374 3028 9402 3002 9423

Mejia

Special weather statement, Aug 26, 3:18 PM CST, 2 hours 42 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
Issued by National Weather Service Brownsville TX
418 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

LAZ027>029-262200-
Avoyelles LA-Vernon LA-Rapides LA-
418 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR RAPIDES...NORTHERN EVANGELINE...
NORTHEASTERN BEAUREGARD...AVOYELLES AND VERNON PARISHES UNTIL 500 PM
CDT...

At 417 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking outer bands of Hurricane
Laura NEAR Alexandria, moving northwest at 40 mph.

Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this band of storms.

Locations impacted include...
Alexandria, Pineville, Leesville, Marksville, Bunkie, Simmesport,
Rosepine, Glenmora, Boyce and Moreauville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this band of storms, and
may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through
flooded roadways.

&&

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for central,
southwestern and west central Louisiana.

LAT...LON 3139 9266 3147 9216 3133 9208 3132 9200
      3122 9199 3123 9192 3128 9195 3130 9191
      3119 9168 3105 9172 3099 9178 3095 9228
      3100 9239 3094 9248 3088 9326 3128 9351
      3128 9344 3136 9339 3135 9295 3152 9272
TIME...MOT...LOC 2117Z 142DEG 36KT 3125 9244

Hallman

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 hurricane (typhoon), 2 tropical storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Jefferson

When: August 26, 6:00 PM CST to August 27, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Category: 1
Deaths: 0 direct, 5 indirect
Injuries: 0 direct, 18 indirect
Property damage: $220 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Mandatory evacuation. Storm surge flooded Sabine Pass and backed up area waterways including the Neches River, Hillebrandt Bayou, and Taylor Bayou. Numerous trees and power lines blown down across Port Arthur, Port Neches, Beaumont, Nederland, and Groves. Homes and businesses were damaged by the fallen trees, lines, and poles. Over 60 percent of the county was without power during the peak of the storm. Five people died (indirect deaths) from carbon monoxide poisoning including three in Port Arthur from a generator running in an enclosed area. Another 18 persons were injured and treated for carbon monoxide poisoning (indirect injuries). Wind gusts ranged from 55 to 90 mph across the county. Storm surge reached 3.97 MHHW at Texas Point near Sabine Pass.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Orange

When: August 26, 6:00 PM CST to August 27, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Orange forecast zone
Category: 2
Property damage: $1.1 billion
Reported by: Emergency Manager

There was a mandatory evacuation for Orange County, Texas. Storm surge backed up the Sabine and Neches waterways, as well as Adams and Cow Bayous. Numerous trees, power lines, and poles were blown down across the entire county. Homes and businesses were damaged from trees falling on them or directly from the winds. Over 90 percent of the county was without power immediately after the storm. One person died from carbon monoxide poisoning (indirect death). Wind gusts across the county ranged from 60 to 110 mph. Storm surge reached 2.08 feet MHHW at the Rainbow Bridge in Bridge City.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Southern Newton

When: August 26, 7:00 PM CST to August 27, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Southern Newton forecast zone
Category: 2
Property damage: $105 million
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 30.786, -93.745 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

There was a mandatory evacuation for the county. Many trees and power line were blown down across the county. Homes and businesses were damaged from trees falling on them or wind. Over 60 percent of the county was without power immediately after the storm. Wind gusts ranged from 70 to 110 mph across the county.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Northern Newton

When: August 26, 7:00 PM CST to August 27, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Northern Newton forecast zone
Category: 2
Property damage: $105 million
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 30.786, -93.745 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane (Typhoon), Southern Jasper

When: August 26, 7:00 PM CST to August 27, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Southern Jasper forecast zone
Category: 1
Property damage: $70 million
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 30.744, -94.025 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

There was a mandatory evacuation for the county. Many trees and power lines were blown down across the county. Homes and businesses were damaged from trees falling on them or wind. Over 40 percent of the county was without power immediately after the storm. Wind gusts ranged from 50 to 90 mph across the county.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Northern Jasper

When: August 26, 7:00 PM CST to August 27, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Northern Jasper forecast zone
Category: 1
Property damage: $70 million
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 30.744, -94.025 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Hardin

When: August 26, 8:00 PM CST to August 27, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Hardin forecast zone
Property damage: $30 million
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 30.332, -94.390 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Tyler

When: August 26, 8:00 PM CST to August 27, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Tyler forecast zone
Property damage: $10 million
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 30.771, -94.377 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

There was a mandatory evacuation for the county. Many trees and power lines were blown down across the county. Homes and business were damaged from trees falling on them or wind. Over 40 percent of the county was without power immediately after the storm. Wind gusts ranged from 35 to 70 mph across the county.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Hurricane (Typhoon), Jefferson	2020-08-27	60	Male	Permanent Structure	Indirect
Hurricane (Typhoon), Jefferson	2020-08-27	53	Male	Permanent Structure	Indirect
Hurricane (Typhoon), Jefferson	2020-08-27		Male	Permanent Structure	Indirect
Hurricane (Typhoon), Jefferson	2020-08-27			Permanent Structure	Indirect
Hurricane (Typhoon), Jefferson	2020-08-27			Permanent Structure	Indirect

What these are

Hurricane (Typhoon): A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or more, filed per forecast zone for its wind, and with separate events for its flooding, surge and tornadoes.
Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph).

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in Texas, August 2020 The 2020 hurricane season

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 918105, 918106, 918201, 918202, 918203, 918204, 918205, 918206.