Region bracing for the storm
After weeks of drought, the local area is bracing for rain this weekend as the still-unnamed tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico moves closer to an impact somewhere along the South Texas coast.
Current projections are for a 70 percent chance of heavy rain today, 60 percent tonight and 70 percent on Saturday before slacking off to 30 percent Saturday night to Sunday.
Although the National Weather Services estimates a 50 percent chance the system will develop, it’s expected to bring the heavy rain either way. For the local area, the NWS expects 2 to 4 inches overall, with some “pocket” areas higher. Up to 8 inches are expected in the San Antonio metro area, the Coastal Plains and the Hill Country. Winds, tornadoes and hail will not be threats, the weather service says.
Exactly where the most rain falls is still dependent on where the storm makes landfall.
State and local agencies are gearing up to make sure they are prepared.
City of San Marcos spokesman Trey Hatt said Weatherguidance, a paid subscription service used by the city and Hays County, has issued a flood watch effective today though Saturday. As of press time, the NWS had not followed suit, but did issue a hazardous weather outlook for the weekend.
Both sources warn that, because of the saturation of the soil, heavy downpours are likely to result in minor flooding of low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage.
“Emergency Management has been monitoring the situation closely and keeping the Commissioners Court and response staff informed,” said county spokeswoman Laureen Chernow. “The Parks Department is notifying persons with swim reservations at Jacob’s Well to be aware that if flooding occurs the Preserve could close.”
She said the Transportation Department will have staff on call ready to place barricades as needed.
Both the city and county suggested residents check with haysinformed.com, sign up for direct weather alerts and check social media throughout the weekend.
TxDOT was also preparing, and said on Thursday they were issuing a standby order to 16 maintenance crews that could help with storm cleanup efforts. Equipment being mobilized includes bucket trucks, skid steers, signal trucks and dump trucks, and crews are prepared to be mobilized for four days.
The crews were scheduled to gather in San Antonio and then be dispatched to the hardest hit areas of the state.
The office of Governor Greg Abbott issued a laundry list of agencies that will be increasing their readiness including the DPS, Parks & Wildlife, Department of State Health Services, TCEQ, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and more.
“Texans are urged to continue preparing,” Abbott said. “As a state, we are further elevating our readiness level and are prepared to rapidly deploy any state resources needed to support our local officials and protect Texans in the projected path.”
The governor’s office also urged people to assemble an emergency kit containing essential documents, supplies and provision; make plans for pets as well as family; consider special needs for individuals with disabilities and the elderly and to follow the instructions of local officials.
Up-to-date weather forecasts, watches and warnings are always available online at the NWS Austin/San Antonio Office at https://www.weather.gov/ewx/ and on local news media.
