Hurricane Harvey Update from the National Weather Service
Harvey continues to strengthen and is now a Category One Hurricane. Harvey is still moving slowly northwestward in the Gulf of Mexico. This northwestward movement is expected to continue and Harvey should approach the middle Texas coast Friday afternoon into Saturday. Confidence continues to increase for tropical storm winds and a significant heavy rainfall event across South Central Texas beginning Friday afternoon and continuing through the weekend. Flash flooding and river flooding continue to be the main concerns, mainly within the Tropical Storm Warning and Flash Flood Watch areas.
Storm total rainfall amounts from Friday through Monday afternoon could be in the 8 to 15 inch range east of Interstate 35 with isolated totals in excess of 20 inches possible over areas south of Interstate 10 as Harvey is expected to stall over the area. Devastating mainstream river flooding is possible east of Interstate 35 and south of Interstate 10.
Additionally, hurricane force winds of 70 to 80 mph will be possible for the counties within the Hurricane Warning, while 40 to mph winds with some gusts to 60 mph will be possible for areas within the Tropical Storm Warning. The timing of these winds look to arrive Friday evening through Saturday morning. There is a low risk of brief tornadoes east of Interstate 35 and south of Interstate 10 Friday evening into the weekend associated with tropical rain bands.
A flash flood watch has also been issued for Hays County. Please refer to the National Hurricane Center website at www.nhc.noaa.gov and our local office website www.weather.gov/san antonio for latest information and to follow the evolution of Harvey as it gets closer to the Texas coast.
Safety Tip/Preparations
Although our area is not in the path of the heaviest rains, you should still prepare.Make sure you have an adequate supply of food, water, flashlights, batteries etc. Below are some helpful links on flooding and hurricane preparations.
Flood Safety Tips and Resources
Hurricane Safety Tips and Resources
Other Resources
FEMA Map Service Center
ATX Floods
City of Austin - Preparing for a Flood
City of Austin - Flood Safety Tips and Flash Flood Video
NOAA - National Weather Service - Hurricane Preparedness
NOAA - National Weather Service - Flood Safety
Turn Around Don’t Drown
Disaster Supply Kit
Family Communications Plan
National Weather Service Flood Safety Brochure
Flood Insurance Information
Ready.Gov - Preparedness Kit
Ready.Gov - Family Communications Plan
Turn Around Don’t Drown Brochure
