Texas now on alert status

[Portastorm]

FYI, I work for a state agency that provides some disaster relief to Texans and was informed in the last hour that state emergency operations personnel are now on "alert" status re: Emily.

[stormie_skies]

Well, THAT is encouraging.

[Galvestongirl]

what part of the state?

[Aquawind]

Sounds logical to me.. A Fast moving Major hurricane with tightly clusters models runs pointing in thier general direction and with the trends looking worse..Somebody is gonna get blasted...might not be TX but ya can't take any chances with a Major Cane looking their way..



Paul

[Portastorm]

what part of the state?

My agency serves the entire state.

[vbhoutex]

The entire state as I understand it or at least the coastal areas. Conference calls with NHC etc. will commence today.

This is from Jeff's post in the Tropical Analysis forum.

Preparedness Actions:

This is a serious threat to the Texas coast.

Significant surge, wind, and rainfall impacts are likely along much of the coast. Critical decisions will need to be made by late this weekend with respect to evacuation and preparation. Conference calls and coordination with Harris, Brazoria, and Galveston counties and TXDOT will begin this afternoon. I expect Galveston County to activate their EOC Saturday or early Sunday. I would strongly suggest canceling any plans to leave the area this weekend, and any plans to head to south TX or the coastal bend are not advised. Based on the current NHC track mandatory evacuations will need to begin late Sunday or early Monday along the lower Texas coast.


Link to the thread:

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic ... 532#952532

[Galvestongirl]

Thanks, however, I am confused, if this is probably going to south texas, why would this area evac.

[Brent]

Thanks, however, I am confused, if this is probably going to south texas, why would this area evac.

He didn't say that... he said mandatory evacuations along the South Texas coast. EOC's would activate since you are in the 5-day cone and there's always a chance, not because they believe a direct hit is likely.

[dwg71]

No, it says evacs will be lower texas coast, they are recommending not going down there, and are recommending that you stay close to home if you live on the island so you can make preparations if it becomes necessary.

[GalvestonDuck]

Thanks, however, I am confused, if this is probably going to south texas, why would this area evac.

There was no mention of us evacuating yet...only South Texas. However, our area still needs to be on the look out in case anything changes in regards to Emily's path.

And when you consider this:

The eye of the storm is about 1818 miles (2926 km) away from Galveston, TX. If the system keeps moving at its current speed of 20 mph and directly towards you, it will take around 90.9 hours (3.8 days) to reach you. Given the current windfield (140 miles from the center), tropical storm winds will be felt in 83.9 hours (3.5 days).

there's only a couple of days left to prepare before we'd have to haul butt if she changes course.

[Galvestongirl]

Thanks Brent, I appreciate your reply! You might be young, but, I really respect what you have to say.

[stormie_skies]

A hit in South Texas will also put a good section (depending on the size Miss Em is when she makes landfall) on the dirty side of the storm. If she is really as strong as some think she will be, the effects will be felt quite a few miles up the coast, correct? And with so much uncertainty in the exact point of landfall.....it seems logical to at least be prepared to either bunker down or evac, just in case....

[Portastorm]

A hit in South Texas will also put a good section (depending on the size Miss Em is when she makes landfall) on the dirty side of the storm. If she is really as strong as some think she will be, the effects will be felt quite a few miles up the coast, correct? And with so much uncertainty in the exact point of landfall.....it seems logical to at least be prepared to either bunker down or evac, just in case....

Exactly! I don't think our state's citizens want us to wake up Monday morning and go "oh crap, there's a major hurricane that is going to hit us in two days ... everybody run!"

We are being cautious and prudent in ramping up our awareness and possible efforts down the road, should they be necessary.

Texans can be assured that EOP folks will be working all weekend.

[GalvestonDuck]

A hit in South Texas will also put a good section (depending on the size Miss Em is when she makes landfall) on the dirty side of the storm. If she is really as strong as some think she will be, the effects will be felt quite a few miles up the coast, correct? And with so much uncertainty in the exact point of landfall.....it seems logical to at least be prepared to either bunker down or evac, just in case....

Correct. I've read about Gilbert causing flooding on the west end of the island.

[bbadon]

Do not be surprised it there are evacs that far up the coast especially with what just happened with Dennis. The Storm Surge was a considerable distance from the center. And remember evacs are for the storm surge can't really run from the wind.

[beachbum_al]

How far up the Coast of TX? My husband aunt and uncle along with cousin live in South Padre Island (I think that is right) and my best friend's family lives in Corpus Christe.

[Cape Verde]

How far up the Coast of TX? My husband aunt and uncle along with cousin live in South Padre Island (I think that is right) and my best friend's family lives in Corpus Christe.

<P>As of right now, the folks on South Padre should be making motel reservations in San Antonio.

[amawea]

Look what Dennis' feeder bands did to the state of Florida, even the east side had some bad storms and heavy rains. That could happen to the upper Tx coast.
amawea

[MyrtleBeachGal]

When my husband was in the Navy, we were stationed in Corpus Christi and we had to evacuate to San Antonio to the Air Force Base. We had to evacuate for Hurricane Bret in 1999. We were under a mandatory evacuation because we lived along the bay and were told by city officials that the entire town was at or below sea level and that's why there are no hurricane evacuation shelters. When we had to start our evacuations the roads were already clogged due to them evacuating S. Padre Island, Mustang Island and the military base near Brownsville (forgot the name of the base). It took us 8 hours to drive a two hour trip to San Antonio.

We were told that even the hospitals shut down and move all of their patients because the hospital in Corpus couldn't withstand the flooding waters and high winds and they didn't want them to withstand it because people would want to stay for all hurricanes.

That's the one and only time I've ever evacuated for a hurricane and that's because I wasn't sure what our home there could withstand and we were only 1/2 block from the bay.

[canegrl04]

It looks like Emily would have an affect on at least 1/3 of the state of Texas if she makes landfall anywhere along the coast.Many will feel at least tropical storm force winds and alot of rain