Houston Hunkers Down As Tropical Depression Harvey Moves Into The Gulf Of Mexico

HOUSTON, TX — The remnants of Tropical Storm Harvey moved across the Yucatan and back in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, placing the Texas Gulf Coast in its crosshairs.

Officials with the Harris County Office of Emergency Management, part of the Regional Joint Information Center, activated Wednesday as Harvey continues to reform in the Gulf of Mexico. (Want to get daily updates about traffic news and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter).

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch and a storm surge advisory for areas along the Texas Gulf Coast, from Port Mansfield,north of South Padre Island, to San Luis Pass, south of Galveston Island, and sa tropical storm watch for areas of Galveston, Harris and Liberty counties as the remnants of Harvey moved offshore and reformed into a tropical depression.

The storm is expected to gain strength and become a tropical storm or a category 1 hurricane by Friday.

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

Meanwhile, Harvey is expected to dump heavy rain in the Houston area this weekend, with some of the Houston area expected to see some of the heavy rain as early as late Friday evening.

Various reports have the storm coming inland near Corpus Christi, which would dump massive amounts of rain in areas along the coast, and farther inland into the Hill Country between San Antonio and Austin.

If the storm were to shift and make landfall north of the Houston area, the rainfall totals could be less significant.

KRIV reported that emergency management officials are urging residents to prepare for the storm right now, which means having plenty of bottled water, and enough non perishable food for everyone in the household to live on for three days.

Residents living along the Gulf Coast are encourage to have and maintain a Hurricane preparedness kit, which according to ready.gov, 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 ready.gov or the National Hurricane Center.

Image: Ed Hart via Flickr Commons

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