Hanna is 'steadily strengthening,' expected to become hurricane before landfall Saturday

Tropical Storm Hanna is expected to become a hurricane before it makes landfall, according to the National Weather Service’s latest advisory. It is continuing on its track toward the central and south Texas coasts and is expected to make landfall on Saturday evening. 

A “brief tornado or two will be possible” overnight across upper Texas and Louisiana coasts, according to the advisory. 

As of 4 p.m. Friday, Tropical Storm Hanna is about 195 miles east of Corpus Christi and is moving west-northwest at about 10 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The storm is expected to make a gradual turn toward the west-southwest tonight and should continue in that direction through Sunday.

Wind speeds are 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. 

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 5 to 10 inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 15 inches through Sunday night in south Texas, the forecast states. Flash flooding, rapid rises in small streams and river flooding are 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

Hurricane, storm surge warnings, watches

As of 4 p.m. Friday, a hurricane warning has been issued from Baffin Bay northward to Mesquite Bay. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in the area within 24 hours. 

A storm surge warning has been issues from Baffin Bay to Sargent, including Corpus Christi Bay, Copano Bay, Aransas Bay, San Antonio Bay and Matagorda Bay. 

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the mouth of the Rio Grande to Baffin Bay and from Mesquite Bay to San Luis Pass. 

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

Evacuation orders

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.”

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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