Texas prepares for Tropical Wave nearing Gulf

HOUSTON, TX – Governor Greg Abbott says Texas is preparing for a possible tropical storm system headed toward the Gulf of Mexico.

The tropical system is one of several that have formed in the Atlantic Ocean, including powerful Hurricane Florence heading toward the East Coast.

The National Hurricane Center says the storm system nearing the Gulf could become a tropical depression later this week and affect parts of Texas, Louisiana and northeastern Mexico.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated system, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the Houston area and parts of Southeast Texas until Tuesday night amid rain and scattered street flooding.

Texas City Independent School District canceled classes Tuesday due to street flooding in the community 35 miles (56.32 kilometers) southeast of Houston. Some roads also flooded in Dickinson.

The Texas State Operations Center has elevated its readiness level as a potential tropical system is expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico and toward the Texas coast later this week. Please pay attention to all local storm warnings. #txlege https://t.co/x2FMmAeGw4

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 11, 2018