Forecast shows Tropical Storm Hanna continues to strengthen, expected in TX Saturday evening

Tropical Storm Hanna is continuing on its track toward the Central and South Texas coasts and is expected to make landfall on Saturday.

As of 1 p.m. Friday, the storm was about 230 miles East of Corpus Christi and is still moving west-northwest at about 9 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The storm is expected to make a turn toward the west tonight and continue in a general westward direction through the weekend.

Wind speeds have increased to about 50 mph with higher gusts and forecasters expect the storm to continue to strengthen ahead of landfall. Tropical storm-force winds extend about 60 miles from the center of the storm, according to the weather center’s update. 

Kleberg County Judge Rudy Madrid has issued a voluntary evacuation order, effective immediately, for Ricardo, Riviera, Baffin Bay and Loyola Beach due to Tropical Storm Hanna’s “imminent threat.”

Evacuations: Kleberg County Judge issues voluntary evacuation order due to Tropical Storm Hanna

Tropical Storm Hanna tracker: Follow the storm as it heads toward Texas landfall

The storm is expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 12 inches through Sunday night in South Texas, the forecast states. Flash flooding is possible as a result of the rainfall.

Corpus Christi experienced heavy rainfall late Thursday morning and is expected to see flooding and three to six inches of rain through Monday.

Live webcams: Watch Tropical Storm Hanna make landfall with these webcams from Corpus Christi beaches

Tropical storm warnings, watches

As of 1 p.m. Friday, a tropical storm warning is in effect from the mouth of the Rio Grande to San Luis Pass Texas. The warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within 24-36 hours. 

The tropical storm watch has been discontinued from San Luis Pass to High Island Texas.

State resources are on standby for storm assistance

Gov. Greg Abbott said on Thursday that resources were on standby across the state in anticipation of the storm.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management has several agencies on standby to provide support at the request of local officials, including:

• Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw Crews and Incident Management Teams
• Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service: Texas A&M Task Force One and Two Search and Rescue Teams
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Boat Teams to support Water Rescue Operations
• Texas Military Department: High Profile Vehicle packages
• Department of State Health Services: Emergency Medical Task Force severe weather packages
• Texas Department of Transportation: High Profile Vehicles
• Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Highway Patrol: Search and Rescue Aircraft with hoist capability and the Tactical Marine Unit

More:  What roads are prone to flooding in Corpus Christi?

Track the storm

Watch Corpus Christi officials give latest storm update

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