Harvey’s winds slow, but Houston likely to see flooding and tornadoes – 1900 CDT Update

Tropical storm Harvey packs winds of 65 mph and is expected to continue weakening. Its track is troubling for the area from Matagorda Bay to the Houston Ship Channel and areas inland due to the flooding rains and tornadic activity threat that will continue for days. Power outage numbers growing in southeast Texas and San Antonio, reducing in Houston metropolitan area. The tornado threat from Harvey cannot be understated as several tornadoes have spawned on the northeast side of the storm.

Get the latest on Harvey on our Storm Page

National Weather Service update 8-26-17 – 19:00 CDT: (for our complete Harvey coverage, visit our Harvey page)

Harvey was last reported at 29.2N, 97.4W and is moving east-northeast at 2 mph with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. The estimated minimum central pressure based on data from NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 992 mb (29.29d inches) and rising indicating weakening.

Casualties

Conflicting news reports say that there are either 1 person, 3 people or 8 people dead and another 14 injured after Harvey’s initial push through southeast Texas. As flooding takes hold, whichever number is correct will increase drastically. More people are killed after the initial strike than during it in almost every major hurricane.

Where will Harvey Go Next

Harvey will continue northwest for another 36 hours or so before turning around on its own track which will keep the storm in the same area for almost 5 days dumping 6 feet or more of rain on the area northwest of Victoria. By the time Harvey exits this area, it will have weakened to a tropical depression and head off to the northeast.

Harvey will spend the next 72 hours retracing its steps before heading north again as a tropical depression. Times as of 1900 CDT.

NOW 26/2100Z 29.1N 97.6W 55 KT 65 MPH…INLAND
12H 27/0600Z 29.1N 97.6W 45 KT 50 MPH…INLAND
24H 27/1800Z 28.9N 97.7W 35 KT 40 MPH…INLAND
36H 28/0600Z 28.5N 97.3W 30 KT 35 MPH…INLAND
48H 28/1800Z 28.3N 97.1W 30 KT 35 MPH…INLAND
72H 29/1800Z 28.7N 97.0W 30 KT 35 MPH…INLAND
96H 30/1800Z 29.5N 97.0W 30 KT 35 MPH…INLAND
120H 31/1800Z 30.5N 97.0W 30 KT 35 MPH…INLAND

Damage Reports

Illustrating how dangerous Harvey still is, a tornado destroyed an RV storage business in Katy, just west of Houston.

And this tornado in Cyprus, Tx just northwest of Houston.

Rockport, TX is reporting that multiple people are trapped in a collapsed building and several other structures were completely destroyed. Images and video from Rockport show massive destruction. Businesses, homes, churches, and schools are all shown with walls missing or completely collapsed.

Tons of Rain and Power Outages

The rainfall potential of this storm is enormous as 30 inches of rain are expected along much of the Texas Gulf coast and areas just inland. Up to 56 inches of rain could fall in some areas. The rain and wind will continue to push trees into power lines and flooding will make it difficult for crews to make repairs.

Almost 250,000 are without power due to the storm. More outages are expected over the next several days. Repairs in some areas could take days or weeks to complete.

The two largest energy providers in southeast Texas, AEP and Centerpoint, are reporting a combined total of about 215,000 customers without electricity. San Antonio’s CPS reports just around 3,000 without power and smaller power companies are reporting an additional 20,000 altogether. AEP posted on Twitter that they are just beginning damage assessments and will report power restoration expectations as soon as they can.

Harvey Watches and Warnings

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…
* Port Aransas to High Island Texas

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Baffin Bay to High Island Texas

What do the watches and warnings mean?

A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons
located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.