Tropical Depression TWO just made landfall on South Padre Island, Texas a few minutes ago (around 1115 AM ET). The system isn't strong, but the main threats right now are extremely heavy rains, tornadoes, and to a lesser extent, winds. Just because this system is a tropical depression doesn't mean that it's not dangerous. No matter what the winds are, the heavy rains are always incredibly dangerous.
Quick info from the Hurricane Center of the system upon landfall:
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING is in effect for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande (Texas/Mexico border) to Baffin Bay, TX.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING is in effect for the Mexican coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande (Texas/Mexico border) to Rio San Fernando, Mexico.
Even though there are Tropical Storm Warnings in effect, the center of TD 2 has made landfall on South Padre Island, Texas, so the system has no chance of producing tropical storm force winds now.
Here is the projected path of TD Two from the hurricane center:
Click for larger image
Current satellite image (click here for most recent):
Tropical Depression Two will continue to move inland over Southern Texas throughout the day and lose its tropical characteristics. The rain threat cannot be stressed enough. This system followed an identical path to Hurricane Alex from last week, so the area is already reeling from the immense rains caused by that system. As I was typing this, MSNBC said that the Rio Grande is 30 feet over flood stage in some places.
The main threats with this system, as is expected with all landfalling systems, will be life threatening rains, tornadoes (especially on the Texas side of the storm), and winds.
Everyone in the affected area needs to stay alert for rapidly changing conditions. Even the weakest systems can be killers. There is also a developing tornado threat over the southern Texas area. Click here for the latest information on that.
Here are some links for more information:
National Hurricane Center
National Weather Service
FEMA
Storm Prediction Center
American Red Cross
Quick info from the Hurricane Center of the system upon landfall:
LOCATION...26.2N 97.2W
ABOUT 25 MI...45 KM NE OF BROWNSVILLE TEXAS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35 MPH...55 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 305 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1007 MB...29.74 INCHES
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING is in effect for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande (Texas/Mexico border) to Baffin Bay, TX.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING is in effect for the Mexican coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande (Texas/Mexico border) to Rio San Fernando, Mexico.
Even though there are Tropical Storm Warnings in effect, the center of TD 2 has made landfall on South Padre Island, Texas, so the system has no chance of producing tropical storm force winds now.
Here is the projected path of TD Two from the hurricane center:
Click for larger image
Current satellite image (click here for most recent):
Tropical Depression Two will continue to move inland over Southern Texas throughout the day and lose its tropical characteristics. The rain threat cannot be stressed enough. This system followed an identical path to Hurricane Alex from last week, so the area is already reeling from the immense rains caused by that system. As I was typing this, MSNBC said that the Rio Grande is 30 feet over flood stage in some places.
The main threats with this system, as is expected with all landfalling systems, will be life threatening rains, tornadoes (especially on the Texas side of the storm), and winds.
Everyone in the affected area needs to stay alert for rapidly changing conditions. Even the weakest systems can be killers. There is also a developing tornado threat over the southern Texas area. Click here for the latest information on that.
Here are some links for more information:
National Hurricane Center
National Weather Service
FEMA
Storm Prediction Center
American Red Cross
= Tornado Warning
= Severe T'storm Warning
= Flash Flood Warning
