Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said state resources are ready to respond to possible impacts from Tropical Storm Nicholas as it churns toward the Gulf Coast.
The storm is expected to produce 5 to 10 inches of rainfall, with up to 15 inches of isolated rainfall, across portions of coastal Texas into southwest Louisiana from Sunday through the middle of the week.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Port Aransas, and from Barra el Mezquital to the U.S border with Mexico. A storm surge watch is in effect from the mouth of the Rio Grande mouth to High Island in Galveston County, and a tropical storm watch has been issued for the Texas coast from north of Port Aransas to High Island.
"The State Operations Center has increased its readiness and is prepared to assist local officials in their response to Tropical Storm Nicholas," Abbott said in a written statement Sunday. "As this storm approaches Texas, I urge our Southeast Texas and Gulf Coast communities to prepare now to protect themselves and their loved ones from the severe weather conditions that Tropical Storm Nicholas will bring."
Abbott said the state's storm response resources include six swift water rescue boat squads, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game warden boat teams, high profile vehicles and emergency medical assistance.
Other resources are also available as needed, including saw crews, search and rescue aircraft, and road and power outage monitoring.
The governor's office shared steps Texans can take to prepare for flooding and severe weather:
- Know types of flood risk in your area. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center
- Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
- Build an emergency supply kit.
- Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
- Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.
- Be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains, or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways and always observe road barricades placed for your protection. Remember, Turn Around Don’t Drown.
More information on how to stay safe during flooding is available through Texas Flood and the Texas Hurricane Center.
