Hurricane Harvey Update from the National Weather Service
Harvey is still moving slowly northwestward in the Gulf of Mexico, currently as a category 2 hurricane, and continuing to strengthen as it approaches the Texas coastline. This northwestward movement is expected to continue and Harvey should make landfall Saturday morning. Confidence remains high in a major rainfall event taking place across much of South Central Texas, in addition to some locations closer to the coast experiencing hurricane force and tropical storm force winds.
Here are the main threats to South Central Texas:
- Average rainfall amounts of 10-20 inches are expected along and east of I-35 Friday through Tuesday. This potentially includes the cities of San Antonio and Austin. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for these areas. Areas outside the Flash Flood watch area in the southern and eastern Hill Country could see 5-10 inches with isolated higher amounts.
- Isolated higher totals in excess of 25 inches are possible near the Highway 77 and I-10 corridors.
- Devastating mainstem river flooding lasting many days is possible east of I-35 in the Colorado, Guadalupe, and San Antonio river basins.
- 70-80 mph winds are expected for counties in the Hurricane Warning. Large trees could be snapped, power lines downed, and damage to homes could occur. Power and communication outages are likely.
- 40-50 mph winds are expected within the area now under a Tropical Storm Warning with gusts to 60 mph. Damage to trees and power lines are possible, leading to scattered power outages.
- There remains uncertainty in the forecast track and intensity of Harvey across Texas. Only small changes to the track, intensity, and/or forward speed of Harvey could result in large changes to flooding and wind impacts across South Central Texas.
Safety Tip/Preparations
Our area could see significant rainfall. 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
