Hurricane Harvey: Central, South Texas Residents Brace For Storm

AUSTIN, TX — Travis and Williamson counties are expected to be hit with heavy rain by late Friday or early Saturday as a result of Hurricane Harvey, with up to 15 inches of rain over the weekend in some parts, according to meteorologists.

As Harvey positions itself to make landfall, the area will feel the effects of its arrival. As heavy as the downpours are for Travis and Williamson, they will be even greater in parts of Bastrop and Caldwell counties, where up to 30 inches are expected to fall, according to National Weather Service predictions.

To track Harvey, monitor the National Hurricane Center website.

By late Thursday afternoon, the NWS had issued an expanded flash flood watch in effect from Friday afternoon through Monday morning encompassing Travis and Williamson counties in addition to Bastrop and Hays counties.

Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast are expected to be the hardest hit by Harvey, categorized late Thursday as a Category 2 hurricane but expected to grow to a Category 3 hurricane by the time it makes landfall. Winds of up to 115 miles per hour are expected as well as "life-threatening storm surges" and flooding as Harvey churns over the central coast of Texas, according to forecasters.

Assuming those dire predictions from meteorologists come true — and all indications are pointing in that direction — Hurricane Harvey is now shaping up to be the strongest hurricane to hit the U.S. in 12 years since Hurricane Wilma in October 2005.

Harvey Could Be The Strongest Hurricane To Hit The US Since 2005

Related story: Hurricane Harvey Gaining Strength As It Aims At Texas Coastal Bend

San Antonio also will be hard hit, albeit to a lesser degree than Houston and the coastal cities. Heavy rainfall and dangerous winds of 55 miles per hour or greater are scheduled to arrive near San Antonio around Saturday morning, according to NWS forecasters. Harvey was expected to dump some 20 inches of rain on the Alamo City, according to NWS forecasters.

But as bad as that sounds, it's preferable to what residents along the Texas Gulf Coast are expected to experience. Residents from Corpus Christi began arriving Thursday night by the busload to seek shelter in the Alamo City. Those fleeing the city for the relative safety of San Antonio were prompted to do so by Corpus Christi Mayor Joe McComb, who earlier issued a voluntary evacuation order.

Gov. Greg Abbott wasted no time in declaring disaster areas preemptively even before the hurricane makes landfall, with destruction already viewed a foregone conclusion. On Wednesday, Abbott declared 30 Texas counties as disaster areas well ahead of landfall.

In anticipation of Harvey, Abbott preemptively declared a State of Disaster for the following counties: Aransas, Austin, Bee, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, Brazoria, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Harris, Jackson, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kleberg, Lavaca, Liberty, Live Oak, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, Waller, Wharton and Wilson.

"Forecasts from the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center expect this storm to intensify in the coming days causing severe flooding, storm surges and damaging winds," an advisory from the governor's office reads. "Earlier today the Governor ordered the State Operations Center (SOC) to elevate its readiness level as the storm approaches, and made available any and all state resources to assist in preparation, rescue and recovery efforts."

Abbott justified the unusual move of declaring disaster areas ahead of the fact. “Texans believe in taking action and always being prepared in the event of an emergency,” the governor said in a prepared statement. “That is why I am taking every precaution prior to Tropical Depression Harvey making landfall. Preemptively declaring a state of disaster will allow Texas to quickly deploy resources for the emergency response effort in anticipation of the storm's hazardous conditions.”

On Thursday, Abbott said he received a call from the White House alerting him that he could avail himself of federal resources if needed. "President Trump called Governor Abbott to offer federal support for the State of Texas as Hurricane Harvey approaches the Gulf Coast," a news advisory reads. "The President pledged all available resources from the federal government to assist in preparation, and rescue and recovery efforts."

Crews are expected to stay mobilized for at least four days, according to a TxDot spokeswoman, and will stage in San Antonio then deploy to the hardest hit areas of the state once the storm makes landfall, the spokeswoman said.

The convoy was expected to leave from the South Austin Area Office, 9725 South Interstate 35, at 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

"We remind drivers to obey all warning signs and watch for flooding on roadways," TxDot officials said in an advisory. "Don’t drive around barricades and remember, Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Plan your route and check weather reports at DriveTexas.org or by calling 800-452-9292."

Travis County takes wait-and-see stance

Aside from heavy downpours, Travis County wasn't expected to bear the full brunt of the hurricane (although the actual effects are hard to predict given Harvey's meandering path). As a result, county officials had not activated emergency plans as of Thursday afternoon in preparation for Hurricane Harvey

"As of 2 p.m., there have been no requests to activate the Capital Area Shelter Hub Plan (CASH-P), which provides shelter assistance, from the State of Texas in response to Hurricane Harvey," Travis County officials said in a press advisory.

But Stacy Moore-Guajardo, the Travis County Office of Emergency Management (TCOEM) coordinator, said officials would be watching hurricane developments to see if they need to alter those plans. "There is no Austin/Travis County Emergency Operations Center activation at this time," said reiterated. "City and County staff are closely monitoring conditions and will be ready should the need arise."

City and county officials will release shelter information if public shelters are open, she added. When shelters are requested by the state, Moore-Guajardo added, notifications will be distributed immediately through local media and city and county social media/government websites. Shelter locations are not released to the public until an official request has been made by the state, she noted.

Juan Ortiz, the City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management director, urged residents to sign up for various websites and social media sites designed to provide residents with the most updated information on Hurricane Harvey and receive alerts when needed.

"We urge the public to continue to monitor this weather event and and begin reviewing their personal preparedness plans," Ortiz said. "Residents can also sign up at WarnCentralTexas.org to receive notifications specific to emergencies in their neighborhood."

For updates on shelter information or new developments into the evening hours, residents are urged to monitor local media, the National Weather Service, the City of Austin social media (@austintexasgov, @AustinHSEM) or Travis County social media (@TravisCountyES).

Williamson County officials urge preparation

LEANDER

The Leander Police Department posted a list of items to have at the ready ahead of Hurricane Harvey — portable radios, spare batteries, flashlights and the like — as tools of preparation.

"Seems appropriate to post these preparedness kit ideas with all the uncertainty of what will happen in the coming days with Harvey approaching the Texas coast," police wrote on their Facebook account. "Take time now to get prepared."

Leander city officials aren't taking any chances in warning their residents as to the most severe potential effects of Hurricane Harvey, even while the city won't bear the full brunt of its effects. "Harvey is forecast to bring rains and storm surge that have the potential to create a life threatening flooding situation starting Friday," city officials wrote. "Hurricane-strength winds are also possible. Check your local forecast for updates, and abide by instructions from local authorities to protect life and property."

Officials at Leander provided a list of resources for impacted residents:

• Notifications by text, email or phone: Register at WarnCentralTexas.org (link is external) to get emergency warnings in your neighborhood.
• Other weather-related questions or info: Email (link sends e-mail) info@leandertx.gov
• Flooding or water/wastewater interruptions at your home or business: Call 512-528-2800 *DO NOT DIAL 911* Email (link sends e-mail)leanderutilities@leandertx.gov.

ROUND ROCK

In Round Rock, city crews were on standby ahead of storms in case response was needed.

"Although there is still uncertainty regarding the exact track of Hurricane Harvey, severe weather could impact our area starting late Friday, Aug. 25, continuing into the weekend and beyond," city officials said. "The primary threats include heavy rain, flooding and strong winds. This storm could be very dangerous, and should be taken seriously and monitored as it gets closer to the Texas coastline."

Round Rock officials urge residents to sign up for emergency alerts by visiting WarnCentralTexas.org, a website established by the Capital Area Council of Governments for residents wanting to receive emergency warnings in their neighborhoods by text, email or phone. Officials also urged residents to download the FEMA app to their smartphone.

Additionally, Round Rock officials urged residents to visit weather.gov/ewx and ready.gov for more information on the forecast and how to prepare for emergencies.

"If emergency actions, including evacuation or shelter-in-place, are needed, the city and other government organizations will disseminate that information a number of ways," city officials said. "Please monitor the forecast and ensure you have several ways to receive information during the storm."

PFLUGERVILLE

"The Pflugerville Police Department is monitoring Tropical Storm Harvey in conjunction with the National Weather Service and Texas Department of Public Safety," city officials wrote on the municipal website. "Residents are asked to please clear your yard of any trash or debris to prevent storm water runoff into our city drains which go directly to our creeks and waterways. Bring pets indoors in inclement weather. If thunderstorms or severe weather hit, a reminder in advance to please drive carefully and treat any flashing street lights as a four-way stop. Stay safe Pflugerville."

By Friday, city officials engaged a full array of emergency preparedness efforts, from preparing emergency first responders to be mobilized if needed, ensuring an ample water supply by filling up tanks, secured sand bags in case they're needed, prepared city crews for debris cleanup and adjusted city parks to safeguard recreational areas. On Saturday, city officials said, the city was scheduled to launch its Emergency Operations Center.

Additionally, city officials provided a list of resources for residents ahead of the storm, including points of contact and sources for the most updated information. For more on the city's efforts, click here.

San Antonio prepares, welcomes fleeing influx

SAN ANTONIO

Less than 80 miles south of Austin, San Antonio residents braced for the worst of the hurricane's peripheral effects — wind gusts of at least 55 miles per hour and up to 20 inches of rain — outside the eye of the storm. The predictions urged Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff to produce a video urging residents to take the necessary precautions ahead of the storm:

Meanwhile, Corpus Christi residents fleeing the coast started arriving Thursday in droves into San Antonio. As bad as it will get in the Alamo City, it'll be a veritable walk along the beach compared to what awaits the Texas Gulf Coast. KENS captured images of the influx:

Just north of Corpus Christi, a mandatory evacuation was ordered for the 60,000 residents of San Patricio County, according to reports. The mayor of Corpus Christi stopped short of issuing such an order but urged residents to voluntarily evacuate or face risking their lives if they stay.

"There will come a time during the storm where rescue operations will cease," McComb said at a Thursday news conference. "Please don't put our public safety officers at risk."

Closer to home, when the heavy rains arrive over the weekend, visit ATXfloods.com to check which low-water crossings will be closed in the coming days. People often make the mistake of driving through such crossings thinking they can traverse raging waters while ignoring warning signs. It's often such motorist's final driving maneuver, and people often perish in the process.

>>> Image via National Weather Service