Tropical Storm Watch: Hanna Will Hit The Gulf Coast During The Next 24-Hours

Houston Meteorologist Eric Berger predicts more than ten inches of rain and flash flooding in parts of Texas.

By Jill AmentJuly 24, 2020 2:11 pm

Overnight along the Gulf Coast, the weather system that had been categorized as a tropical depression formed into Tropical Storm Hanna. The tropical storm warning stretches from the west end of Galveston Island all the way to Port Mansfield in South Texas. 

Meteorologist Eric Berger from Space City Weather in Houston says Hanna will sweep the gulf over the next 24-hours. 

“We expect it to further strengthen some in terms of wind speed. But still the biggest concern with these kinds of tropical storms generally is rainfall,” Berger said.

Some locations could sustain more than ten inches of rain, and up to five inches of rain per hour. In parts of the Rio Grande Valley, this will create flash flooding. 

“That backs up streets almost immediately and pushes into yards and can push into structures,” Berger said. 

According to the meteorologist, this year has already seen a significant number of storms. This is the earliest the World Meteorologist Organization has ever reached an “H” name.

But the tropical storm will not be cause for evacuation. 

“With a storm like this it’s best, anywhere you are in Texas, to ride it out,” Berger said, adding that Hanna is a typical July storm for the Gulf of Mexico.

Web story by Sarah Gabrielli.

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