This product covers South Texas
**TROPICAL STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH TEXAS**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Aransas Islands,
Calhoun Islands, Coastal Aransas, Coastal Calhoun, Coastal
Kleberg, Coastal Nueces, Coastal Refugio, Coastal San Patricio,
Inland Calhoun, Inland Kleberg, Inland Nueces, Inland Refugio,
Inland San Patricio, Kleberg Islands, and Nueces Islands
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Aransas Islands,
Calhoun Islands, Coastal Aransas, Coastal Calhoun, Coastal
Kleberg, Coastal Nueces, Coastal Refugio, Coastal San Patricio,
Inland Calhoun, Inland Kleberg, Inland Nueces, Inland Refugio,
Inland San Patricio, Kleberg Islands, and Nueces Islands
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 570 miles south-southeast of Port Aransas TX or about 600
miles south-southeast of Port Oconnor TX
- 20.3N 93.2W
- Storm Intensity 40 mph
- Movement North-northwest or 345 degrees at 7 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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A very large area of low pressure over the Bay of Campeche has
increased its likelihood of development into a tropical system over
the next few days as it traverses the western Gulf. Therefore, the
National Hurricane Center has upgraded it to Potential Tropical
Cyclone One this afternoon.
A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect along all coastal counties
and marine zones from Baffin Bay through Port O'Connor. Regardless
of development and eventual landfall location, there are several
hazards and impacts expected across South Texas from tonight through
Thursday due to the large extent of this system. The main threats
will be:
- Flash Flooding: Moderate to high threat of flash flooding mainly
east of I-37, especially in urban areas Tuesday through Thursday.
Rainfall accumulations of 8-10" are expected along the Coastal Bend
with localized rainfall amounts up to 15". Across the rest of the
region, the Victoria Crossroads could see accumulations of 6-8"
through Thursday, while the Brush Country could have amounts as high
as 4-6".
- Coastal Flooding: Significant coastal flooding is expected with up
to 3 ft of inundation possible across the Middle Texas Coast
including the bays between Baffin Bay and Matagorda Bay. In
addition, there will be a High risk of rip currents.
- River Flooding: Considerable river flooding along portions of the
eastern Coastal Plains and Victoria Crossroads from Tuesday night
through Thursday. There is a 15% chance of Major flooding at Oso
Creek.
- Winds: Sustained winds of 30-35 mph with gusts to 40-45 mph can be
expected across the Coastal Bend, while winds of 30-40 knots can be
expected over the marine zones.
- Hazardous Seas: Wave heights 12 to 15 feet with occasionally up to
18 feet.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
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* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across the eastern Coastal Plains and Victoria Crossroads.
Potential impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water 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 eastern Coastal Plains and Victoria Crossroads.
* SURGE:
Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across the Coastal Bend. 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 parking lots become overspread
with 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 to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.
* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the
Coastal Bend. Potential impacts in this area 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.
Elsewhere across South Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.
* TORNADOES:
Little to no additional impacts are anticipated at this time
across South Texas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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 you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to
move to safe shelter on higher ground.
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 Texas evacuation routes, see
txdot.gov/driver/weather/hurricane.html
- For information on creating emergency kits, see texasready.gov
- For state assistance in an emergency event,
tdem.texas.gov/response/state-of-texas-emergency-assistance-registry
- For information on registering for emergency notifications in your
area visit the websites below...
- Corpus Christi and Nueces County: cctexas.com/reversealert
- San Patricio, Aransas, and Refugio County: coastalplainlepc.org
- Victoria County: vctx.org/page/oem.home
- Calhoun County: www.calhouncotx.org
NEXT UPDATE
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Corpus Christi TX around 10 PM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.
