Multiple warnings, watches, and advisories are already in effect as Texas braces itself for Tropical Storm Nicholas. It is moving northwest towards the Gulf Coast, according to a report from KPRC issued at around 11.35 p.m. Sunday.
A total of four warnings, six watches and four advisories are in effect for 34 regions in the Houston area as reports from the National Weather Service says that Nicholas is expected to hit the central Texas Coast as a tropical storm, bringing along heavy rainfall to some parts of Southeast Texas, including the coastlines.
The advisory also said that the system will strengthen as it moves in the Gulf of Mexico towards the Texas Coast, Click 2 Houston reported.
By Monday night, the forecasts say that Nicholas will hit Central Texas Coast as a tropical storm, though it may intensify into a hurricane. The announcement led to one of the six watches – a Hurricane Watch – in areas from Port Aransas to Freeport, Texas.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also warned that the Matagorda Bay area may experience tropical storm force winds on Monday afternoon, while the Galveston Bay area may experience these winds Monday evening.
Meanwhile, storm surge warnings and a hurricane watch were issued for Freeport, San Luis Pass, Aransas Bay, San Antonio Bay, and Matagorda Bay.
“On the forecast track, the center of Nicholas will pass near or just offshore the coasts of northeastern Mexico and South Texas on Monday, and move onshore along the coast of south or central Texas coast Monday night or early Tuesday,” said NHC specialist Richard Pasch.
As of press time, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) says that Nicholas is currently about 170 miles east-southeast of La Pesca, Mexico, and is moving north at the speed of 2 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It is expected to bring along a rainfall total of about 10 to 20 inches, particularly at the state’s coastal areas.
The National Weather Service also said that Nicholas may cause dangerous rainfall flooding across SE Texas, including the Houston metro area. Harris County Bayous were also listed as the agency’s topmost concern regarding flooding.
