Active AlertsCrystal Beach Rd., TX

This product covers Southeast Texas Disorganized Bertha Approaching Southeast Texas NEW INFORMATION --------------- CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Bolivar Peninsula, Brazoria Islands, Chambers, Coastal Brazoria, Coastal Galveston, and Galveston Island STORM INFORMATION: - About 100 miles east-northeast of Galveston TX - 29.6N 93.2W - Storm Intensity 45 mph - Movement West or 275 degrees at 10 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ At 10 AM CDT, Tropical Storm Bertha was located along the western Louisiana coastline as poorly organized and very asymetrical tropical system. Bertha is still expected to continue moving westward through an unfavorable environment with high wind shear, dry air, and land interaction. Bertha is still expected to reach the upper Texas coast this afternoon as a weak Tropical Storm or Tropical Depression. No significant impacts to Southeast Texas are expected at this time. Winds of 20-25 knots with gusts to 40 knots will be possible, mainly along the coast and Gulf waters throughout today. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible, and could produce locally heavy rainfall in spots, though the flooding rain threat remains low. There will be a high risk rip currents across the beaches and coast through Friday. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Southeast Texas. Potential impacts include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. FLOODING RAIN: Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across the Southeast Texas coast. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS: There will be a high risk of rip currents across the upper Texas coastal beaches through Friday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston TX around 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

What: Dangerous rip currents.
Where: Gulf-facing beaches, including the Matagorda Peninsula, Brazoria County beaches, Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula.
When: Through late tonight.
Impacts: Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

Swim near a lifeguard and away from rocks, jetties, and piers. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.