Tropical Storm Hanna forms, heads toward Texas

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Dr. Ryan Truchelut digs into an active Atlantic, with Tropical Storm Gonzalo and another strengthening disturbance in the Gulf to discuss. Tallahassee Democrat

Tropical Storm Hanna in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the Texas coast on Saturday. 

Heavy rain began falling in the Corpus Christi area before 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning. By noon, skies were clear, but weather officials said more rain was headed to the region.

The tropical storm is moving at 9 mph toward the west-northwest and is approximately 315 miles east-southeast of Corpus Christi, according to the National Hurricane Center. Maximum sustained winds are 40 mph. Tropical storm-force winds extend 45 miles from the center.

The storm is expected to make landfall along the Texas Coast on Saturday. 

The risk of tornadoes associated with the depression was considered low.

Residents and visitors should expect flooding and take necessary precautions, a release from the county said. Nueces County Gulf piers and the parking lot at Bob Hall Pier will be closed midday Friday, July 24.

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How much rainfall to expect

The tropical storm is expected to produce three to six inches of rain with isolated totals of 8 inches of rain through Monday along the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, the center said. 

Flash flooding and minor river flooding are possible in portions of South Texas, and swells are expected to increase.

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Impacts of the storm may include coastal flooding, with water up to dunes on Gulf Facing beaches through Nueces County, the release said. There is high potential for severe rip currents along with large debris in the surf zone, and the general public is strongly encouraged to refrain from pedestrian access along the beach.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday said resources were on standby across the state in anticipation of the storm.

“These resources I have rostered will help our communities respond to the severe weather and possible flash floods caused by this Tropical Depression. Throughout the weekend, Texans should heed the guidance from local officials and remain vigilant against this severe weather to keep themselves and their loved ones safe,” Abbott said in a news release.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management has several agencies on standby to provide support at the request of local officials.

Those agencies are:

• Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw Crews and Incident Management Teams
• Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service: Texas A&M Task Force One and Two Search and Rescue Teams
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Boat Teams to support Water Rescue Operations
• Texas Military Department: High Profile Vehicle packages
• Department of State Health Services: Emergency Medical Task Force severe weather packages
• Texas Department of Transportation: High Profile Vehicles
• Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Highway Patrol: Search and Rescue Aircraft with hoist capability and the Tactical Marine Unit

Track the storm

See maps as a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to make landfall on the Texas coast Saturday.

See spaghetti models below:

Alexandria Rodriguez covers breaking news and crime in South Texas.Support local news by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe  

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