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Beta path update: Flash Flood Warning continues for parts of Houston area
Ongoing high water spots are expected throughout the day Tuesday.
HOUSTON — Tropical Storm Beta made landfall Monday around 10 p.m. near the southern end of the Matagorda Bay Peninsula with sustained winds of 45 mph.
LIVE NOW: Watch a live update from Meteorologist Chita Craft at about 7:35 a.m.
As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, Beta was nearly stationary (moving northwest at only 3 mph) just east of Victoria with winds at 40 mph, but it is expected to make a turn toward the east-northeast, moving slowly over Matagorda and Brazoria counties moving slowly up the Texas coast and through the Houston area, weakening to a tropical depression by late Tuesday night.
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Street flooding in Houston and Galveston areas
Street flooding will continue to be the greatest threat Tuesday and early Wednesday in Houston.
In some areas we have received between 7-11 inches of rain in 24 hours. Flooding inland shifted from our coastal areas last night and is a continued threat through Harris County today.
WEATHER ALERTS:
- Flash Flood Warning for Northern Brazoria and Southwest Harris counties until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday
Rain will continue to sweep in across the Houston Galveston area all day Tuesday and for a portion of Wednesday. A Flash Food Watch is in effect for the entire area.
Where is Tropical Storm Beta going?
Beta is now moving at 3 mph, down from 7 mph, according to the 10 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. Max sustained winds have slowed to 45 mph.
The storm is made landfall Monday night near the southern end of the Matagorda Peninsula. Once inland, the storm is expected to move northeast along the coast through Wednesday, becoming a depression by the time it reaches Houston.
By early Wednesday afternoon, Beta will be out of the Houston area and over Beaumont and entering Louisiana.
What can Houston and Southeast Texas expect?
Periods of fast moving, heavy rain are expected to continue Tuesday, regardless if Beta is a tropical storm or a tropical depression. Flooding in low-lying areas is the greatest threat with this system so far.
Watch Meteorologist Chita Craft’s Tuesday morning update
At this time we are not expecting widespread structural flooding issues across our inland communities. Because of this, the City of Houston has not set up any emergency shelters. It is best to stay home Tuesday if you can as many cars have been flooded already.
Our primary concern with this system will be isolated spots of street flooding during those heavy downpours and flooding/storm surge in our coastal communities.
Interactive tropical tracker map
Additional rainfall amounts expected Tuesday and Wednesday
National Hurricane Center Tuesday morning update
1. Significant flash and urban flooding is occurring and will continue for the middle and upper Texas coast today. The slow motion of Beta will continue to produce a long duration rainfall event from the middle Texas coast to southern Louisiana. Flash, urban, and minor river flooding is likely. Periods of rainfall will continue into the ArkLaTex region and spread east into the Lower Mississippi Valley and portions of the Southeast through the end of the week. Flash, urban, and isolated minor river flooding is possible.
2. Storm surge flooding will continue throughout the morning, around the times of high tide along portions of the Texas coast within the storm surge warning areas. Residents in these areas should continue to follow advice of local officials.
3. Tropical-storm-force winds will continue near portions of the Texas coast within the warning area today.