The City of Houston is monitoring Tropical Storm Harvey as it makes its way through the Gulf of Mexico and towards the Texas Coast.
Houston is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Storm Surge Watch as tropical storm conditions and storm surge along the coast are expected within the next 36 hours. Impacts from Harvey will likely begin Friday and continue through the weekend.
At this time, the City of Houston DOES NOT anticipate issuing evacuation orders. However, it is important to stay vigilant of changing conditions.
RAINFALL: Because our area is on the northeast side of landfall, we can expect very heavy rain over the next four to five days. NWS forecasts 8-12 inches of rain with some areas receiving more, depending on how the storm lines up.
WIND: Current forecasts indicate that Houston can expect winds of 39-57mph over the weekend as Harvey comes onshore. This has the possibility of causing damage, especially if outdoor items remain unsecured. If the storm intensifies and/or changes direction, these wind speeds could increase. Please remain vigilant.
POWER OUTAGES: Because wind can cause damage to transformers and power lines, widespread power outages that could last for days are possible. Residents should be prepared to be without power.
Steps to Take Now
- Ensure your family has 5-7 days worth of food, water and supplies.
- This includes enough prescription medication to get you through this period, in case pharmacies and doctors’ offices are closed.
- If you have seniors, children, pets or other people special circumstances, make sure their individual needs are met.
- Be sure you have a way to stay informed even when the power goes out, such as a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
- Develop a family communication plan, so that you know who to check in with after a storm. Visit ready.gov for more information on how to do this.
- Monitor current conditions with the National Weather Service at weather.gov/houston, and the National Hurricane Center at hurricanes.gov.
- Know how to turn off your utilities, this includes electricity, water, and gas. Only turn off gas if instructed by local officials,or by CenterPoint energy. For safety tips from CenterPoint, visit houstonemergency.org.
- Move vehicles away from low-lying areas, such as neighborhood streets that are prone to flooding.
- Ensure that street drains are clear of debris. Also, secure items that might float away in heavy rain and become lodged in drains. This can cause additional flooding.
Where to Get More Information
During these types of situations, rumors and misinformation can be everywhere. That’s why it is important to seek out official information from trusted sources.
This includes:
- City of Houston Emergency Information Center (houstonemergency.org)
- National Weather Service, Houston/Galveston Forecast Office (weather.gov/houston)
- National Hurricane Center (hurricanes.gov)
- Local Television Meteorologists