Texas Braces for Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey: What We Know About the Major Storm About to Hit the Gulf Coast

by Vox

August 25, 2017

A major Category 3 or higher hurricane is expected to make landfall on the Texas coast Friday evening through early Saturday, bringing damaging high winds, coastal flooding, and truly torrential rains. Some areas could see 30 inches or more of rain — that’s near the amount of rainfall these coastal Gulf cities normally get in one year. And it’s coming over the next few days.

“Rainfall of this magnitude will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flooding,” the National Hurricane Center warns.

Hurricane Harvey is currently churning with winds at 120 miles per hour (making it a Category 3 storm). “This is a life-threatening situation,” the hurricane center reports in no uncertain terms.

“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.” 

Counties and cities along the Gulf Coast have issued mandatory or voluntary evacuation notices. (The San Antonio Express-News is keeping track of all the locations in Texas under evacuation orders. Check out its list here.)

Though these are serious warnings based on the government’s best scientific predictions, the forecast for Harvey will likely change (perhaps for the better, perhaps for the worse). But know: This is a major, dangerous weather event.

The specific amounts of rainfall, wind, and coastal flooding may change — but they’re all likely to occur in dangerous levels. So focus on preparing for the worst if the storm tracks anywhere near where you live.

Haste is warranted. The latest forecast is dire.