Alert Details
HLSHGX This product covers Southeast Texas **A Weakening Tropical Storm Bertha will approach Southeast Texas on Thursday** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Bolivar Peninsula, Brazoria Islands, Chambers, Coastal Brazoria, Coastal Galveston, and Galveston Island * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bolivar Peninsula, Brazoria Islands, Chambers, Coastal Brazoria, Coastal Galveston, and Galveston Island * STORM INFORMATION: - About 380 miles east of Galveston TX - 29.5N 88.5W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement West or 270 degrees at 5 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Bertha is currently located off the Mississippi coast and is expected move westward along the central Gulf Coast through the next day. Bertha will be moving through an unfavorable environment due to high wind shear, dry air, and land interaction, so it is expected to weaken and become even more disorganized. It is forecast to make landfall along the upper Texas Coast late Thursday morning or early afternoon as a weak Tropical Storm. No significant impacts to southeast Texas are expected at this time with the highest probabilities of tropical storm force winds remaining off the coast and gusts to tropical storm force winds possible along the immediate coast. Isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible through Thursday, but threat of flooding rain is low. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across coastal portions of Chambers, Galveston, and Brazoria counties. 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 Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across Bolivar Peninsula. 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. Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across coastal portions of Southeast Texas. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, 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. Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * 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. 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. 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 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 10 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.