Description

This product covers Southeast Texas **BETA MOVING A LITTLE FASTER TOWARD THE CENTRAL TEXAS COAST* NEW INFORMATION --------------- CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Fort Bend, Inland Brazoria, Inland Galveston, Inland Harris, Inland Jackson, Inland Matagorda, Southern Liberty, and Wharton - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Brazoria Islands, Chambers, Coastal Brazoria, Coastal Galveston, Coastal Harris, Coastal Jackson, Coastal Matagorda, Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula, and Matagorda Islands STORM INFORMATION: - About 120 miles south-southeast of Galveston TX or about 150 miles east-southeast of Port O'Connor TX - 27.7N 94.0W - Storm Intensity 60 mph - Movement West-northwest or 295 degrees at 6 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Although attempting to better organize itself earlier this afternoon, Tropical Storm Beta continues to battle dry air and wind shear as it moves west-northwestward towards the middle texas coastline. The current forecast intensity remains unchanged. Beta remains on track to make landfall near Matagorda Bay late Monday, then take a turn to the northeast Tuesday through Thursday. Arrival of tropical storm force winds is most likely Monday morning, but could arrive as early as this evening. We continue to anticipate a prolonged heavy rainfall and coastal flooding event from Beta with elevated tides already occuring bringing coastal flooding. Coastal flooding will remain a threat through midweek with the worst of the storm surge anticipated on Monday and Tuesday. The first rainbands from Beta have started to move onshore today, but the heaviest rain will not occur until Monday into Tuesday. Generally 6 to 12 inches of rain is expected with locally higher amounts of around 15 inches along the immediate coast. The combination of storm surge and heavy rainfall along with high tides will elevate the risk of dangerous flooding along the Barrier Islands and inner coastal locations through mid-week. Many local authorities have issued voluntary evacuation orders for low-lying and flood-prone areas. If you are within an area where an evacuation warning has been issued, please heed the advice of your local officials. The storm surge and flash flooding impacts of Beta will have the potential to be life-threatening. SURGE: Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across the Barrier Islands and coastal regions from Matagorda Bay through Galveston Bay. Potential impacts in this area include: - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast. - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots. - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents. - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages. Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across portions of Southeast Texas with the highest rain totals expected along the coast. 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 across the Northern Brazos Valley and up towards Houston County. WIND: Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across along the immediate coast, especially near the landfall location which is expected to occur near Matagorda Bay. 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, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across most of Southeast Texas. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- EVACUATIONS: Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders. If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra time to get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your vehicle ahead of time. OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. 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! 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 Houston/Galveston TX around , or sooner if conditions warrant.