AUSTIN, Texas — Texas emergency officials are preparing for Tropical Storm Edouard as it moves toward the Texas coast, with the greatest threats expected in Southeast Texas and more limited impacts forecast for Central Texas.
Gov. Greg Abbott said the state is tracking the system, which earlier was described as Tropical Depression Five, and warned that Southeast Texas counties could face storm surge, flooding and high winds.
“The most predictable thing about weather is this unpredictable,” Abbott said.
The National Weather Service said inland gusts along the coast could reach up to 40 mph, and some areas could see 3 to 6 inches of rain from Monday night through Wednesday.
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Abbott said that if Edouard makes landfall, Southeast Texas is expected to take the hardest hit.
“At the time of landfall, we expect 60 miles per hour winds, and we expect a storm surge of two to four feet in Chambers and Jefferson counties,” Abbott said. “The biggest problem we expect out of the storm at this moment in time is flooding.”
CBS Austin asked Abbott about the biggest potential impacts in Central Texas. He said areas between Waco and San Antonio could get “one or two inches of rainfall” but should not see flooding, adding that winds should be mild.
Orlando Alanis, Assistant Agency Director for the Texas Department of Emergency Management, said the state is ready.
“So this is our first big storm of the season, and I’ll tell you, Texas is prepared,” Alanis said.
As the storm approaches, ERCOT said it is prepared to maintain the state’s electric grid.
“At this time we’re not anticipating any reliability issues with the statewide electric grid,” said Pablo Vargas, ERCOT’s president and CEO.
Abbott said 20 state agencies and 1,500 state personnel have been activated, along with aircraft, swift water rescue boats and high-water vehicles, as resources are deployed to help keep Texans safe this week.