The National Weather Service is monitoring a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico that could impact Texas.
The National Weather Service is monitoring a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico that could impact Texas.
Photo: National Weather Service
The disturbance headed for Texas can be seen in this enhanced satellite image provided by NOAA that shows Hurricane Florence, third from right, in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. At right is Tropical Storm Helene, and second from right is Tropical Storm Isaac. (NOAA via AP) less
The disturbance headed for Texas can be seen in this enhanced satellite image provided by NOAA that shows Hurricane Florence, third from right, in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. At right is … more
Photo: Associated Press
For some reason, many weather watchers start to slowly give up on the hurricane season after Labor Day, but the end of the summer season is rarely the end of hurricane season for Texas. The state has been battered on dozens of occasions with hurricanes and tropical storms well into October. Here are some of the state’s worst late-season hurricanes. less
For some reason, many weather watchers start to slowly give up on the hurricane season after Labor Day, but the end of the summer season is rarely the end of hurricane season for Texas. The state has been … more
Photo: InterNetwork Media, Getty Images
September 8, 1900 – The unnamed “Galveston Hurricane” kills 8,000 on the island and destroys approximately half of all homes in the area.
September 8, 1900 – The unnamed “Galveston Hurricane” kills 8,000 on the island and destroys approximately half of all homes in the area.
Photo: Buyenlarge, Getty Images
September 10, 1961 – Forty-six people were killed when Hurricane Carla makes landfall. Potentially more deaths were averted by one of the largest evacuations in history.
September 10, 1961 – Forty-six people were killed when Hurricane Carla makes landfall. Potentially more deaths were averted by one of the largest evacuations in history.
Photo: Grey Villet, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
September 13, 2008 – Hurricane Ike hits Texas as a Category 2 storm. Twenty-foot storm surges batter the coast. Eighty-four people are killed, 2.6 million people are left without power and $19.3 billion in damages are incurred. less
September 13, 2008 – Hurricane Ike hits Texas as a Category 2 storm. Twenty-foot storm surges batter the coast. Eighty-four people are killed, 2.6 million people are left without power and $19.3 billion in … more
Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images
September 14, 1919 – An unnamed hurricane hits Corpus Christi (seen here more recently), killing 287.
September 14, 1919 – An unnamed hurricane hits Corpus Christi (seen here more recently), killing 287.
Photo: Getty Images
September 17, 1988 – Wind speeds up to 135 mph blow in with Hurricane Gilbert. As it makes landfall, the state is blanketed with as many as 29 related tornadoes. Central Texas, especially San Antonio, is hit with massive flooding. less
September 17, 1988 – Wind speeds up to 135 mph blow in with Hurricane Gilbert. As it makes landfall, the state is blanketed with as many as 29 related tornadoes. Central Texas, especially San Antonio, is hit … more
Photo: Getty Images
September 24, 2005 – Hurricane Rita makes landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border. Already reeling from Hurricane Katrina just weeks before, 1 million are left without power. In total, 120 deaths and $12 billion in damages are linked to the storm. less
September 24, 2005 – Hurricane Rita makes landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border. Already reeling from Hurricane Katrina just weeks before, 1 million are left without power. In total, 120 deaths and $12 … more
Photo: Dave Einsel, Getty Images
September 26, 1967 – Hurricane Beulah hits near Brownsville, causing massive flooding, spawning several tornadoes and killing 15.
September 26, 1967 – Hurricane Beulah hits near Brownsville, causing massive flooding, spawning several tornadoes and killing 15.
Photo: Donald Uhrbrock, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
October 1994 – Hurricane Rosa stormed through Texas – this time from the Pacific, up through Mexico. Massive flooding was reported across the state. Twenty-two in the storms path were killed. Texas was left with $700 million in damages. less
October 1994 – Hurricane Rosa stormed through Texas – this time from the Pacific, up through Mexico. Massive flooding was reported across the state. Twenty-two in the storms path were killed. Texas was … more
Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo
October 1998 – Thirty-one people are killed and large swaths of Central Texas are flooded by Hurricane Madeline. These fishermen were able to save their gulf vessels (pictured), but the state incurs $1.5 billion in damages. less
October 1998 – Thirty-one people are killed and large swaths of Central Texas are flooded by Hurricane Madeline. These fishermen were able to save their gulf vessels (pictured), but the state incurs $1.5 … more
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: National Weather Service
Image 1of/15
Caption
Close
Image1of15
The National Weather Service is monitoring a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico that could impact Texas.
The National Weather Service is monitoring a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico that could impact Texas.
Photo: National Weather Service
NWS monitoring potential tropical storm developing in Gulf of Mexico that could hit Texas
1 / 15
Back to Gallery
National Weather Service meteorologists said Monday that there’s a 50 percent chance a system they are monitoring in the Gulf of Mexico may develop into something more serious.
Meteorologist Melissa Huffman said because it’s early on in the system’s development, forecast models are split on the chances of a tropical cyclone’s development.
“If it does develop, there could be impacts on the Texas coast,” Huffman said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he is taking precautions in light of the news, increasing the Texas State Operations Center readiness level to Level III. The change allows requests for emergency aid and increases coordination activities.
“We are closely monitoring a tropical system expected to approach the Gulf of Mexico and potentially impact the Texas coast in the coming days,” Abbott said in a statement. “In light of recent heavy rainfall across the state, we are on high-alert as any additional rain could quickly create dangerous flash flooding conditions. I urge all Texans to take precautions and review their emergency plans now to prepare for any potential impact to their community.”
Even if a storm doesn’t develop, Huffman said, the region would still be looking at a chances of heavy rain as the moisture from that system makes landfall, which won’t happen until at least the weekend, the forecast showed.
Regardless, Texans should keep a close eye on any storms developing in the gulf during hurricane season.
“We want to make sure people are thinking about potential issues that come up here closer to home,” Huffman said.
San Antonio saw steady rainfall last weekend, and more rain is expected throughout the week.
Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA