Widespread evacuation orders have been triggered along the central coast of Texas ahead of Hurricane Harvey’s arrival tomorrow.
The City of Houston is closely monitoring the current weather situation as storm surges threaten to flood the region.
The impacts from Hurricane Harvey will likely begin on Friday and continue throughout the weekend, with the strongest developments over the next 36 hours.
At the moment Houston does not expect to issue an evacuation order, but authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant in case the conditions worsen.
There is however risk of power outages over the next few days, and medically-dependant residents might wish to leave the city.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster for 30 Texan counties including Austin, Calhoun, Jefferson and Wilson counties.
“Texans believe in taking action and always being prepared in the event of an emergency,” said Governor Abbott.
“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.”
Current forecasts indicate that Houston can expect to be battered with winds of up to 39 – 57mph.
Evacuating residents are advised to prepare all of the necessary food, water, clothes and medication they will need for anywhere between three days up to a week.
Family members and friends should be informed about plans to leave beforehand, and should be checked in with throughout the ordeal.
There are several official evacuation routes leading in and out of Houston, which are marked on the map above form the Texas Department of Transportation. Most routes follow major inter-city highways.
Find your nearest evacuation route and more maps here.
Anyone leaving the city to weather out the storm should take their time and leave in an orderly fashion.
However if a mandatory evacuation order is issued by city officials, residents will need to leave immediately and get to safety.
Anyone caught off-guard without means of escape, should call the Texas Emergency Preparedness service under 2-1-1.
Ready.gov, the official natural disaster service campaign, reminds people not to forget their pets when evacuating.
Other preparation tips include putting together a kit with first aid supplies, a flashlight, batteries and necessary medication.
The National Hurricane Center additionally advises people to prepare for life threatening floods between six and 12 feet tall.
The NHC said: “Preparations to protect life and property should be completed by tonight, as tropical-storm-force winds will first arrive in the hurricane and storm surge warning areas on Friday.
“A storm surge warning is in effect for much of the Texas coast.”
The following areas are currently affected:
- A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:
- Port Mansfield to High Island Texas.
- A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:
- South of Port Mansfield Texas to the Mouth of the Rio Grande.
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:
- Port Mansfield to Matagorda Texas.
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- North of Matagorda to High Island Texas.
- South of Port Mansfield Texas to the Mouth of the Rio Grande.
- A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- South of Port Mansfield Texas to the Mouth of the Rio Grande.
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- South of the Mouth of the Rio Grande to Boca de Catan Mexico.