Hurricane Watch Issued For Texas Coast To San Luis Pass Near Galveston

HOUSTON, TX — A hurricane watch has been issued for part of the Texas coast while a storm surge watch is in effect for nearly the entire Texas coast as Harvey has developed into a tropical depression in the Western Gulf of Mexico.

The National Weather Service stated Harvey may strengthen to a tropical storm or hurricane before landfall by perhaps Friday, and that the storm may stall or meander for a few days, leading to a dangerous flood threat in parts of Texas and Louisiana.

A Hurricane Hunter aircraft investigating Harvey found a well-defined low-pressure center Wednesday morning with wind speeds below tropical storm strength. The NHC says that the center of Harvey is located about 470 miles southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas, and is moving northwest at 9 mph.

Port Mansfield, where the hurricane watch begins, is just north of South Padre Island, and it extends to San Luis Pass, which is just south of Galveston.

Heavy rains are already expected this weekend, and with Harvey approaching, some areas of Texas predicted to receive up to 20 inches of rain.

Houston and the Texas coast are no strangers to hurricanes, tropical storms or even flash floods that handicap a city. FEMA began preparing for catastrophic storms with coastal counties on June 1, which was the official start date of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Houstonians should always have a hurricane preparedness kit ready, and if they don’t then it’s a good idea to learn what you need, and build your own. And if local authorities order an evacuation, it's wise to follow the orders and know the evacuation routes.

According to ready.gov, every emergency preparedness kit should have the following items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (canned food, baby food, Granola bars, energy bars)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Other suggested items to have in your kit include:

• An emergency (reflector) vest
• Red Bandana (in case you need to signal for help)
• Pet supplies (leashes, pet food, medicines, kennel or crate)
• Medications for family members
• Eye drops
• Dry socks
• Cash
• Sleeping bags/blankets
• Writing supplies
• Books/Games
• Emergency Contact information/documents
• Fire extinguisher
• Waterproof matches/fire starter
• Insect repellant/sun screen

You can find a list of more items,and tips on being prepared at

Top image via Associated Press

Follow Us On Facebook: Engage with your neighbors in the Metro Houston area and keep up with the talk of the day by liking one of our Facebook pages. Houston / Midtown Houston / Houston Heights / Galleria - River Oaks / Bellaire / Meyerland / Humble-Kingwood / Conroe-Montgomery County / Sugar Land / Pasadena / The Woodlands / Clear Lake