Tropical storms Joyce, Helene, and Isaac: What Texas and the Gulf coast should know

PHOTOS: This week in tropical weather

This image shows the scene in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean as two tropical storms, a depression, and Hurricane Florence continue to swirl on Friday.

>>See how the storms in the Atlantic are progressing and where they might be going

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PHOTOS: This week in tropical weather

This image shows the scene in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean as two tropical storms, a depression, and Hurricane Florence continue to swirl on Friday.

>>See

… more

Photo: NOAA
This NOAA image shows the disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico which is bringing rain to Texas this weekend.

This NOAA image shows the disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico which is bringing rain to Texas this weekend.

Photo: NOAA
This NOAA image shows what Tropical Storm Helene is supposed to do in the next few days ahead.

This NOAA image shows what Tropical Storm Helene is supposed to do in the next few days ahead.

Photo: NOAA
This NOAA image shows what Tropical Depression Isaac is supposed to do in the next few days ahead.

This NOAA image shows what Tropical Depression Isaac is supposed to do in the next few days ahead.

Photo: NOAA
This NOAA image shows what Tropical Storm Joyce is supposed to do in the next few days ahead.

This NOAA image shows what Tropical Storm Joyce is supposed to do in the next few days ahead.

Photo: NOAA
This NOAA image shows what Hurricane Florence is supposed to do in the next few days ahead.

This NOAA image shows what Hurricane Florence is supposed to do in the next few days ahead.

Photo: NOAA
PHOTOS: An eye on the Gulf of Mexico

Satellite images on Wednesday showed where Invest 95L was stationed west of the Yucatan Peninsula earlier in the week. (9/12/18)

>>See more photos of this developing tropical system…

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PHOTOS: An eye on the Gulf of Mexico

Satellite images on Wednesday showed where Invest 95L was stationed west of the Yucatan Peninsula earlier in the week. (9/12/18)

>>See more photos of this

… more

Photo: NOAA
These images show what Invest 95L looked like on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018.

These images show what Invest 95L looked like on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018.

Photo: NOAA
These images show what Invest 95L looked like on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018.

These images show what Invest 95L looked like on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018.

Photo: NOAA
These images show Invest 95L as it appeared on Wednesday in satellite images. (9/12/18)

These images show Invest 95L as it appeared on Wednesday in satellite images. (9/12/18)

Photo: NOAA
These images show Invest 95L as it appeared on Wednesday in satellite images. (9/12/18)

These images show Invest 95L as it appeared on Wednesday in satellite images. (9/12/18)

Photo: NOAA
This spaghetti model on Wednesday showed where Invest 95L could end up along the Texas and Mexican coasts. (9/12/18)

This spaghetti model on Wednesday showed where Invest 95L could end up along the Texas and Mexican coasts. (9/12/18)

Photo: Sfwmd.gov
Satellite images on Wednesday showed where Invest 95L was stationed west of the Yucatan Peninsula. The National Hurricane Center had said Tuesday that the system had a good chance of becoming a tropical depression later this week. (9/12/18) less

Satellite images on Wednesday showed where Invest 95L was stationed west of the Yucatan Peninsula. The National Hurricane Center had said Tuesday that the system had a good chance of becoming a tropical … more

Photo: NOAA
Satellite images on Tuesday showed where Invest 95L stationed near the Yucatan Peninsula. The National Hurricane Center had said Tuesday that the system had a good chance of becoming a tropical depression later this week. (9/11/18)

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Satellite images on Tuesday showed where Invest 95L stationed near the Yucatan Peninsula. The National Hurricane Center had said Tuesday that the system had a good chance of becoming a tropical depression

… more

Photo: NOAA
Satellite images on Tuesday showed where Invest 95L was stationed near the Yucatan Peninsula. The National Hurricane Center had said Tuesday that the system had a good chance of becoming a tropical depression later this week. (9/11/18)

less

Satellite images on Tuesday showed where Invest 95L was stationed near the Yucatan Peninsula. The National Hurricane Center had said Tuesday that the system had a good chance of becoming a tropical depression

… more

Photo: NOAA
Satellite images on Tuesday showed where Invest 95L was stationed near the Yucatan Peninsula. The National Hurricane Center had said Tuesday that the system had a good chance of becoming a tropical depression later this week. (9/11/18)

less

Satellite images on Tuesday showed where Invest 95L was stationed near the Yucatan Peninsula. The National Hurricane Center had said Tuesday that the system had a good chance of becoming a tropical depression

… more

Photo: NOAA
This is “spaghetti model” dated Sept. 11, 2018 showed what Invest 95L could do in the coming days. (9/11/18)

This is “spaghetti model” dated Sept. 11, 2018 showed what Invest 95L could do in the coming days. (9/11/18)

Photo: SFWMD
This is a view of the current situation in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

This is a view of the current situation in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Photo: NOAA

Photo: NOAA

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PHOTOS: This week in tropical weather

This image shows the scene in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean as two tropical storms, a depression, and Hurricane Florence continue to swirl on Friday.

>>See how the storms in the Atlantic are progressing and where they might be going

less

PHOTOS: This week in tropical weather

This image shows the scene in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean as two tropical storms, a depression, and Hurricane Florence continue to swirl on Friday.

>>See

… more

Photo: NOAA

So far the Houston area and the Texas Gulf Coast has managed to get through this hurricane season without a major storm coming close to us. That doesn’t mean though we shouldn’t keep a watchful eye on what’s brewing in the Atlantic Ocean.

TROUBLE FOR GALVESTON: Storm in Gulf bringing heavy rain, flooding to Texas coast

Last week the weather community watched as Hurricane Florence flourished into the wet and destructive storm battering the Carolinas and it appears that Mother Nature has a handful of storms developing behind it.

FLORENCE MOVES ONTO LAND: Photos of Hurricane Florence’s fury flood social media

Luckily not every minor disturbance will turn into something to be fearful of as we saw this week as Invest 95L petered out after giving some Texans on the coast a reason to rethink weekend plans.

Houston and Galveston will still have a soggy weekend, especially Saturday. On Friday Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for Harris and other Texas counties due to the approaching storm which has already caused problematic flooding in the Galveston area. There were some reports of as much two feet of water on some roadways.

ON THE ISLAND: Disaster declaration issued for Texas counties; Galveston flooding

Time to catch up on your Netflix shows and do some online shopping as Christmas is just about 100 days away.

Photo: NOAA

This is the current five-day outlook dated Friday morning from the National Hurricane Center with Joyce and Helene floundering in the Atlantic.

STAY SAFE: Coastal counties under flash flood watch through 7 p.m.

Tropical Depression Isaac has entered the Caribbean, but that storm appears to have little strength to it as it moves westward and offshore. The question now is whether Isaac will muster up strength and make its way into the Gulf of Mexico. That remains to be seen. It’s still very early.

CARLA COMES TO TEXAS: Mighty Hurricane Carla battered the Texas Gulf Coast in 1961

Right now out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean there are two tropical storms, Joyce and Helene, currently churning with neither posing an imminent threat to the mainland United States. Joyce and Helene are forecast to turn eastward and away from the U.S.

Photo: NOAA

The yellow ‘X’ can be seen on the Texas Gulf Coast, bringing wet weather to the state over the next few days.

During lulls like this for the Gulf Coast its a great time to prepare for whatever could be brewing and to send good vibes to our friends in the Carolina that are dealing with the brunt of Florence. That storm will likely stick around the east coast for the days to come.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on Nov. 30, 2018.

Craig Hlavaty covers Houston history and pop-culture. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | craig.hlavaty@chron.com

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