Weather

Texas Prepares As Tropical Storm Beta Forms In Gulf

Beta is expected to reach hurricane strength Sunday as multiple watches and warnings were issued for parts of Texas.

This GOES-16 GeoColor satellite image taken Saturday and provided by NOAA, shows Tropical Storm Beta, center, in the Gulf of Mexico.
This GOES-16 GeoColor satellite image taken Saturday and provided by NOAA, shows Tropical Storm Beta, center, in the Gulf of Mexico. (NOAA via AP)

GALVESTON, TX — Multiple weather alerts are in effect as the Texas coast prepares for the arrival of yet another tropical storm. Forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by Sunday, Tropical Storm Beta is expected to breach the Texas gulf shore by early next week.

Tropical Storm Beta was brewing in the Gulf of Mexico about 305 miles east-southeast of Corpus Christi, and 245 miles south of Lake Charles, Louisiana, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory.

As of noon Saturday, Beta had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving northwest at 3 mph.

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The expected slow motion of Beta has the potential to create a long-duration rainfall event along the western Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. The prolonged rainfall could trigger flash, urban and river flooding, especially where tide levels are above normal.

The system is expected to arrive in southeastern Texas by Monday night. Other areas of Texas could be impacted Tuesday into Wednesday.

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Graphic via National Hurricane Center

A tropical storm warning has been issued from Port Aransas, Texas, to Intracoastal City, Louisiana. Both the city of Galveston and Galveston County on Saturday issued voluntary evacuation orders ahead of Beta.

Mayor Pro Tem Craig Brown said in a statement that high tides and up to 10 inches of expected rainfall could leave roads impassable, especially along the city’s west end and low-lying areas.

County Judge Mark Henry said during a Saturday news conference that his concern is also based on rising waters creating a storm surge and that a mandatory evacuation is not expected.

“If you can survive in your home for three or four days without power and electricity, which we’re not even sure that’s going to happen, you’re OK,” Henry said. “If it’s uncomfortable or you need life support equipment, maybe go somewhere else.”

A storm surge watch is also in effect from Port Mansfield, Texas, to Cameron, Louisiana. Additionally, a tropical storm watch was issued from south of Port Aransas to the mouth of the Rio Grande, and east of High Island to Morgan City, Louisiana.

Forecasters are predicting up to 4 feet of storm surge along parts of the Texas coast that included Baffin Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, Galveston Bay and more. Wind, heavy rainfall and life-threatening surf and rip current conditions were also expected with the storm.

Forecasters ran out of traditional storm names on Friday, forcing the use of the Greek alphabet for only the second time since the 1950s.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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