Gulf Tropical System Likely To Form This Week: Forecasters Say

HOUSTON, TX — Heavy rain is in the forecast the rest of the week for Houston and the surrounding area, but a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico has the attention of forecasters and has the potential to form later this week. Forecasters have been watching a tropical disturbance that has begun to form in the western Caribbean during the last several days and it could become a major rainmaker along the Texas coast as early as Thursday.

The weather disturbance also has local and state officials on high alert. Last weekend, officials with Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management urged residents in Houston and Harris County to start getting ready for the potential of the storm coming toward the upper Gulf Coast.

On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas State Operations Center to elevate its readiness level as the tropical system develops and moves into the Gulf of Mexico and toward the Texas coast later this week.

“We are closely monitoring a tropical system expected to approach the Gulf of Mexico and potentially impact the Texas coast in the coming days,” said Abbott. “In light of recent heavy rainfall across the state, we are on high-alert as any additional rain could quickly create dangerous flash flooding conditions. I urge all Texans to take precautions and review their emergency plans now to prepare for any potential impact to their community.”

State and partner agencies engaged in this effort include:

• Texas Department of Public Safety (Texas Highway Patrol)
• Texas Department of Transportation
• Texas Engineering & Extension Service
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
• Texas Forest Service
• Texas Military Department
• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• American Red Cross
• The Salvation Army

Meteorologists predict the disturbance will travel across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and Yucatan Peninsula over the next several days, potentially developing into a tropical storm as it moves slowly in a northwesterly direction.

In the meantime, storms have dumped heavy rain throughout the Houston area and the Gulf Coast on Sunday.

The storms have caused some flooding, particularly in Galveston, Clear Lake and Dickinson, which all reported street flooding on Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch in effect from 1 p.m. Monday until Tuesday evening for Brazoria, Chambers, Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Jackson, Liberty, Matagorda and Wharton counties.

Meanwhile, there are several measures residents can take now to prepare for potential storms:

• Assemble an emergency kit that includes essential documents, supplies and provisions.
• Review hurricane evacuation maps, and select a route for you and your family.
• Plan how all family members and pets will evacuate safely.
• Consider any special needs for individuals with disabilities or the elderly.
• Stay informed about changing weather conditions in and around your area.
• Follow the instructions of local officials if a storm develops.

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Image via National Hurricane Center

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