ReportWire

Tag: hurricane season

  • NHC monitoring 2 areas for tropical development; 1 bringing rain to Florida much of the weekend

    [ad_1]

    The National Hurricane Center is now monitoring two areas of interest in the Atlantic Ocean, including one in the Gulf. >>Video in player is previous forecastThat’s why rain is in the forecast for much of the weekend. Below: Eric Burris has a long-range look at tropicsNorth-Central GulfA weak area of low pressure has formed over the north-central Gulf and is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms off the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. This system is expected to move slowly northwestward during the next day or two, reaching the coast of Texas by Monday. Development of this system is not expected due to strong upper-level winds.Formation chance through 48 hours: 0%Formation chance through 7 days: 0%Tropical AtlanticA tropical wave between the west coast of Africa and Cabo Verde Islands is producing a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Gradual development of the wave is possible over the next few days, and it could become a tropical depression by the middle to latter part of next week while moving across the central tropical Atlantic and approaching portions of the Leeward Islands.Formation chance through 48 hours: 10%Formation chance through 7 days: 60%Hurricane season 2025The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.>> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival GuideThe First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.>> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2

    The National Hurricane Center is now monitoring two areas of interest in the Atlantic Ocean, including one in the Gulf.

    >>Video in player is previous forecast

    That’s why rain is in the forecast for much of the weekend.

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Below: Eric Burris has a long-range look at tropics

    This content is imported from YouTube.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    North-Central Gulf

    A weak area of low pressure has formed over the north-central Gulf and is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms off the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. This system is expected to move slowly northwestward during the next day or two, reaching the coast of Texas by Monday. Development of this system is not expected due to strong upper-level winds.

    Formation chance through 48 hours: 0%

    Formation chance through 7 days: 0%

    Tropical Atlantic

    A tropical wave between the west coast of Africa and Cabo Verde Islands is producing a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Gradual development of the wave is possible over the next few days, and it could become a tropical depression by the middle to latter part of next week while moving across the central tropical Atlantic and approaching portions of the Leeward Islands.

    Formation chance through 48 hours: 10%

    Formation chance through 7 days: 60%

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Hurricane season 2025

    The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.

    >> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival Guide

    The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.

    >> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast

    >> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Tropical Storm Imelda continues moving away from US coast; Florida could see some impacts

    [ad_1]

    Tropical Storm Imelda continues to move away from the U.S coast on Monday — but the region will still see some impacts from the storm. At 8 a.m. Monday, Imelda was moving north at 8 mph. A faster motion to the east-northeastward moving away from the southeastern U.S. is expected by the middle part of this week. On the forecast track, the center of the system is expected to move across the central and northwestern Bahamas Sunday night and then turn east-northeastward, moving away from the southeastern U.S. by the middle part of this week. Maximum sustained winds: 145 mphMinimum central pressure: 993 mb Watches/warnings A tropical storm warning is in effect for portions of the Northwestern Bahamas, including Eleuthera, the Abacos, Grand Bahama Island and the surrounding keys. Possible impactsWIND Tropical storm conditions in portions of the northwestern Bahamas should continue through today. RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Imelda is expected to produce additional rainfall of 2 to 4 inches across eastern Cuba and 4 to 8 inches across the northwest Bahamas through Tuesday. This rainfall will likely produce flash and urban flooding. Mudslides are also possible in areas of higher terrain across eastern Cuba.Storm total rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches with local maxima of 4 inches are expected through Tuesday across northeast Florida, coastal South Carolina, and coastal sections of southeast North Carolina. This rainfall could result in isolated flash and urban flooding.As Imelda passes near Bermuda, 2 to 4 inches of rainfall is expected from Wednesday into Thursday.STORM SURGEA storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1to 3 feet above ground level along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds in the northwestern Bahamas. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large waves. Minor coastal flooding is possible in areas of onshore winds over the Southeastern U.S. coastline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the surge occurs over the next several high tide cycles: Volusia/Brevard County Line, Florida to the South Santee River, South Carolina…1 to 2 ft SURF Swells generated by Tropical Storm Imelda and Hurricane Humberto are affecting the Bahamas and will spread to much of the east coast of the U.S. early this week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Hurricane season 2025The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.>> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival GuideThe First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.>> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast

    Tropical Storm Imelda continues to move away from the U.S coast on Monday — but the region will still see some impacts from the storm.

    At 8 a.m. Monday, Imelda was moving north at 8 mph.

    A faster motion to the east-northeastward moving away from the southeastern U.S. is expected by the middle part of this week.

    On the forecast track, the center of the system is expected to move across the central and northwestern Bahamas Sunday night and then turn east-northeastward, moving away from the southeastern U.S. by the middle part of this week.

    • Maximum sustained winds: 145 mph
    • Minimum central pressure: 993 mb

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Watches/warnings

    A tropical storm warning is in effect for portions of the Northwestern Bahamas, including Eleuthera, the Abacos, Grand Bahama Island and the surrounding keys.

    Possible impacts

    WIND

    Tropical storm conditions in portions of the northwestern Bahamas should continue through today.

    RAINFALL:

    Tropical Storm Imelda is expected to produce additional rainfall of 2 to 4 inches across eastern Cuba and 4 to 8 inches across the northwest Bahamas through Tuesday.

    This rainfall will likely produce flash and urban flooding. Mudslides are also possible in areas of higher terrain across eastern Cuba.

    Storm total rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches with local maxima of 4 inches are expected through Tuesday across northeast Florida, coastal South Carolina, and coastal sections of southeast North Carolina.

    This rainfall could result in isolated flash and urban flooding.

    As Imelda passes near Bermuda, 2 to 4 inches of rainfall is expected from Wednesday into Thursday.

    STORM SURGE

    A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1to 3 feet above ground level along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds in the northwestern Bahamas. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large waves.

    Minor coastal flooding is possible in areas of onshore winds over the Southeastern U.S. coastline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the surge occurs over the next several high tide cycles: Volusia/Brevard County Line, Florida to the South Santee River, South Carolina…1 to 2 ft

    SURF

    Swells generated by Tropical Storm Imelda and Hurricane Humberto are affecting the Bahamas and will spread to much of the east coast of the U.S. early this week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

    Hurricane season 2025

    The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.

    >> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival Guide

    The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.

    >> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • New Smyrna Beach business shares boat prep for bad weather

    [ad_1]

    NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — As Central Florida keeps a close eye on the tropics, a business in Volusia County is preparing for any strong winds or rain that could affect them from Imelda.


    What You Need To Know

    • A boat rental company in New Smyrna Beach prepares its boats for possible bad weather
    • This comes as Tropical Storm Imelda formed over the Bahamas Sunday afternoon
    • Staff have some extra steps they take if they know a storm is coming, such as moving the boats into a warehouse

    Staff at Sand Dollar Boat Rentals in New Smyrna Beach has put everything away and locked it tight to prevent damage to their boats in case a storm rolls in.

    Employee Brittany Cisco put the tops down on dozens of pontoon boats at the marina before clocking out Sunday.

    “We want to make sure, in case there is an extra gust of wind, that it doesn’t blow it up and catch in the wind and either bend it out of shape or put anything in the water,” said Cisco.

    This is her first hurricane season working at Sand Dollar Boat Rentals.

    “It’s been interesting just helping everybody, getting back with the weather,” said Cisco. “So, we’ll see if it gets worse if people do rent.”

    She has a list of tasks to ensure that each boat is prepared in case of bad weather: storing life jackets, tying boats to the docks, parking them together, and locking the boat doors.

    “Most of the time we don’t have too much to worry about as far as that goes cause we stay always prepared because you know Florida, the rain everyday changes so much,” said Cisco.

    If staff know a storm is coming, they will remove the boats from the water and store them in a warehouse.

    “We kind of try to wait until the last minute because you never know what the storm is going to do,” said manager James Brannigan.

    Brannigan says they had some dock damage and flooding years back — describing previous hurricane seasons as “chaos” — but adds it is not a big deal.

    “We deal with it. We’re Floridians,” said Brannigan. “We know it’s going on. It’s going to happen. We fix the docks; put the boats back on the water. It’s a lot of work.”

    The team says the business is open and ready to take people out on the water as long as the weather is safe enough to do so.

    [ad_2]

    Emma Delamo

    Source link

  • Seasafe Homes Two Build Site Model Cuts Down on Construction Time

    [ad_1]

    Indian Rocks Beach, Fla. — Rebuilding a home following a hurricane is far from enjoyable. But it is a choice thousands have made in Florida following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  


    What You Need To Know

    • Seasafe Homes in Pinellas County has been helping residents rebuild their homes back stronger following Hurricane Helene
    • Chad Lubke and Mike Zehnder are the owners and say Seasafe Homes uses a dual site process. While living sections are built in Georgia in a protected build center, foundations and pilings are built on site
    • Lubke said this cuts build time by more than 75% compared to traditional coastal builds
    • Currently, Seasafe Homes has 14 homes in progress between St. Pete Beach and Clearwater


    In Pinellas County, there has been a continual buzz for over a year. The buzzing is from the numerous construction projects happening up and down the coastline. 

    Many of the coastal homes are retirement homes. 

    “We were very content,” said Maryalice Walsh. “We had a little one-story, three-bedroom, two-bath home.”

    She and her husband, Patrick Walsh, moved to Indian Rocks Beach in 2019. Their home is in walking distance from the beach, as they are backed up to a canal where their boat sits, and their small pool was crystal clear blue.

    “Life was good,” said Maryalice Walsh. Until it wasn’t. 

    When Hurricane Helene moved through the Gulf, passing by Pinellas County, it brought a storm surge that shocked even the most hurricane-experienced Floridian. 

    “Then 4:30 p.m., the power went out. 8:30 p.m., we had water gushing in, we didn’t evacuate,” said the couple. 

    By midnight, they knew they had to flee their ground-level home. Water was at 4 feet and rising. 

    So, they grabbed their Go Bag and waded in waist-deep water toward a neighbor’s home that was built 12 feet off the ground. 

    They were safe themselves, but Hurricane Helene left its mark. When they returned home, they knew they had lost just about everything. 

    For Maryalice Walsh, she had also lost the will to stay. 

    “I’m done living on the water,” she said thinking back. “I’m out of here. And I just gave everything away.”

    But after about three days of cleaning up, praying, and talking to neighbors, friends and family, the Walshes decided they didn’t want to leave. This was their dream home, in a dream location. 

    So, they made the difficult decision to rebuild. 

    But that decision got easier when they realized a neighbor had just begun a new construction company called Seasafe Homes. 

    “So, our first two houses are going to be within six months from the time that we, you know, basically have a shovel in the ground to when we’re handing the keys over. So that’s kind of unheard of here on the beaches,” said Mike Zehnder, co-owner of Seasafe Homes. 

    He and Chad Lubke started the company. They are both Pinellas County locals and they had an idea on how to build back homes in a faster, stronger way. 

    “So, we call it a dual site process,” said Lubke. “It’s typical construction. We do, we do a piling foundation, we do a big concrete grade beam and then we build the masonry walls and then these big like reinforced columns.” 

    But then, while the foundation is going in, up in Georgia, the living part of the home is being built too. 

    Lubke has been building coastal homes for 20 years. He said by splitting the build locations into two sites, they cut down on the time it takes to rebuild a home by 75%. 

    Typically, when someone rebuilds, it often takes 12 to 18 months. 

    When the interior of the home is completed in Georgia, it is then trucked into Florida. 

    “We have these delivered to the site, they’re about 85% complete,” said Lubke. “So the counter tops are in, the plumbing fixtures are in, a lot of the lighting and things like that are in.”

    With a big crane, they set the main part of the house right on top of the foundation and reinforced columns. 

    Lubke said this process helps cut down the time in one big area of building. 

    “There’s a lot of inspections that are able to be done at our build center, which speeds things up,” said Lubke. 

    The pair say the homes they have built can withstand 180 mph winds and are raised off the ground, usually by 11 feet or more. This design allows for storm surge to flow under the interior of the home. 

    “When everybody was gone and there’s just piles of everybody’s life on the streets. That was really, those were hard times. Those were sad times. All you could wish for was just being normal and hoping that the next time that we’re better prepared,” said Zehnder, when asked if the homes will stand up in the next hurricane. 

    The Walshes are certainly sad about the year they have lost hosting family and friends at their home. 

    “That’s what makes me sad that I’ve lost, I’ve been robbed of a year,” said Maryalice Walsh. “But it’s all going to be better. It’s going to be good.”

    But when in their newly rebuilt home, they can’t help but smile as they show off all the new and sturdier features.

    “Yeah, ten out of ten,” said Maryalice Walsh. 

    [ad_2]

    Erin Murray

    Source link

  • Humberto expected to remain a ‘powerful’ major hurricane, NHC says

    [ad_1]

    Humberto was upgraded to a hurricane on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.As of the 5 a.m. advisory on Saturday, the NHC said Humberto is expected to remain a powerful major hurricane for the next several days. Humberto is located 375 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. Humberto is moving toward the northwest at 6 mph. The NHC said the system has maximum sustained winds of nearly 145 mph, with higher gusts and a minimum central pressure of 938 mb. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.Swells generated by Humberto will begin affecting portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Bermuda this weekend and early next week. PTC9Meanwhile, a second system continues to move toward the southeastern United States. Hurricane season 2025The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.>> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival GuideThe First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.>> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2

    Humberto was upgraded to a hurricane on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

    As of the 5 a.m. advisory on Saturday, the NHC said Humberto is expected to remain a powerful major hurricane for the next several days.

    Humberto is located 375 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands.

    Humberto is moving toward the northwest at 6 mph.

    The NHC said the system has maximum sustained winds of nearly 145 mph, with higher gusts and a minimum central pressure of 938 mb.

    There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

    Swells generated by Humberto will begin affecting portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Bermuda this weekend and early next week.

    PTC9

    Meanwhile, a second system continues to move toward the southeastern United States.

    Hurricane season 2025

    The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.

    >> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival Guide

    The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.

    >> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast

    >> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Houston Lawmaker Al Green Blasts Trump for Pulling FEMA Funding During Hurricane Season

    [ad_1]

    Texas’ six-month hurricane season just hit the halfway point, and elected officials across the state say they’re bracing themselves for delayed responses, reduced funding, and an increased strain on local resources as President Donald Trump threatens to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

    U.S. Congressman Al Green, D-Houston, joined the chorus last week of representatives condemning the president’s actions and calling on state officials like Gov. Greg Abbott to do more than approve “Band-Aid bills” while Texas stands to lose $74 million because of Trump’s cuts.

    Trump has said he’ll “phase out” FEMA after the 2025 hurricane season ends in November. “We want to wean off of FEMA and we want to bring it down to the state level,” the president said in June.

    But the cuts have already begun. The U.S. government announced in April it had eliminated FEMA’s $4.6 billion Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program in the middle of a distribution cycle.

    Before adjourning a second special session this month, Texas lawmakers approved, in response to the July 4 Kerr County floods, a $368 million one-time appropriation from the state’s Rainy Day Fund for disaster relief, with $50 million to help local governments purchase flood warning sirens and rain gauges and $28 million for flood monitoring grants. Green said last week that’s not enough.

    “The state of Texas is not known to spend federal dollars wisely, and I’m not sure the state of Texas is prepared to handle the amount of dollars necessary if FEMA is eliminated in its entirety,” the congressman said on a press call last week. “I regret that Texas is not doing more to insist on FEMA being managed as it has been. It’s not a perfect organization but I’ve been in Congress long enough to see how FEMA has benefited my constituents.”

    “Unfortunately, it seems that if Trump can aggressively dismantle an agency, he will,” Green added. “While this is not a good time for the most vulnerable in Texas, it is a great time for us to unite, band together, and fight to protect our communities.”

    In August, Houston Controller Chris Hollins spoke at a virtual press briefing with finance chiefs from New Mexico, Vermont, and Minnesota to discuss the long-term repercussions that FEMA cuts could have on the economic health and safety of the country.

    Harris County’s population is larger than 26 individual states, so the impact of a disaster is widespread, Hollins said.

    “Houstonians deal with and live the consequences of these disasters on a regular basis,” he said. “This is not theoretical for us. There is significant human and economic pain, families who are displaced, small businesses shuttered, city and county budgets that are spread thin, and billions and billions of dollars of damage that we’re still paying for.”

    The federal government is turning disaster relief into a political game, the controller added. “These disasters, when they come, don’t check if you’re rich or poor, Black or white, Republican or Democrat,” he said. “The floodwaters do not stop at the city line because the precinct voted blue or red. When Trump Republicans, when MAGA, go after these programs like FEMA, when they kneecap HUD’s disaster recovery work, they don’t punish a city. They punish human beings.”

    Half of Houstonians can’t afford an unexpected $400 expense, Hollins added, so the impact of a storm and rising insurance premiums can be devastating, forcing people to go into debt or rebuild alone. The homes of some residents in north Houston have still not been repaired after Hurricane Harvey in 2017, he said.

    “They slashed FEMA, hollowed out staffing, they tried to kill proven resilience programs and wrapped it all in red tape that slowed the response down,” Hollins said. “That can be life or death for Houstonians and for Texans. That’s not fiscal discipline. It’s not responsibility. It’s recklessness, it’s partisan sabotage, and it’s a lack of public safety.”

    Harris County commissioners and Houston City Council members have also expressed concern that, while FEMA hasn’t traditionally swept in like a white knight and solved everyone’s problems in the wake of a disaster, the agency is relied upon for much-needed funding that state and local governments don’t have.

    Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis said last month that Trump and Abbott have attacked Harris County, not just by ignoring its needs but by “actively working to undermine our ability to serve the people who need us most.”

    “Donald Trump has slashed, and continues to slash, federal safety net programs, even as more families have fallen into poverty,” Ellis said. “Greg Abbott has imposed state revenue caps that choke local budgets — part of a broader war on local governments and working people.”

    At last week’s press briefing, Green was joined by Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert and Houston-based former FEMA Public Affairs Director Rafael Lemaitre to address how federal budget cuts are “sabotaging the safety” of Texans.

    Calvert said that 13 people in his San Antonio-area precinct died during flash flooding in June. The legislature had an opportunity to earmark funds to repair drainage and coordinate emergency systems, but didn’t do it, he said.

    “They only allocated $50 million out of the Rainy Day Fund for a state that is full of rainy days,” Calvert said. “Texas has more money in its Rainy Day Fund than almost every state in the United States combined. Whether it was Winter Storm Uri, the February freeze that we had in 2021, or a number of emergencies that are truly rainy days for communities, we’ve seen the state benefit the bankers holding onto that money a lot more than Main Street getting that money, and that is shameful.”

    Thousands of lives would be saved if state and federal governments would fund “microgrids” so hospitals and assisted living homes would be self-sustaining in a power outage, Calvert said.

    “When you start seeing microgrids funded in local communities, that’s when you’re cooking with grease,” he said. “Right now we’re not cooking with grease for a state that has a lot of emergencies.”

    “It is an emergency right now that the people in Harris County and the Houston area do not have a congressperson should a hurricane or flooding happen in their area,” Calvert said. “The fact that the governor hasn’t moved that election faster after the death of Congressman Turner is a shame, and it’s going to matter if we have an emergency.”

    Rafael Lemaitre worked as a spokesman for FEMA during the Obama administration and said last week that the agency’s importance has increased as climate change has caused natural disasters to become more frequent and more severe.

    Following his tenure with FEMA, Lemaitre moved to Houston and worked as a senior adviser to County Judge Lina Hidalgo. His family received individual FEMA assistance as disaster survivors of the 2024 derecho, he said, noting that he’s dealt with the federal agency on multiple levels.

    Lemaitre said there’s a dangerous narrative being advanced by Trump that FEMA is not prepared to handle disasters; that it’s the role of state governments.

    “That simply isn’t how disaster management operates,” he said. “During Democratic administrations, FEMA has always had a supporting role in helping states and governors in disaster response when their capacity is exceeded, which happens quite often. Even on what we call blue-sky days, FEMA has a vital role in supporting states and local communities.”

    The agency used to operate the Center for Domestic Preparedness and the National Fire Academy, where first responders trained for free, learning to respond to mass casualty incidents and biological attacks, among other things.

    “This was gutted and closed down at the beginning of the Trump administration, forcing 7,000 first responders from across the country to miss out on the vital training that makes our communities more resilient,” Lemaitre said.

    “I fear that we’re on a course to painfully relearn the lessons of Hurricane Katrina,” he added. “Folks on this call who saw that disaster unravel in real time on television probably remember that it was a bad time for emergency management. FEMA was underfunded. It wasn’t a respected agency. And we saw the result of that. We saw a bungled response to a major disaster.”

    Green said the matter of disaster response and recovery ought to be a bipartisan issue.

    “We have a president who seems to believe that Congress is subordinate to him and that he is a superior personality,” he said. “We’re trying to restore funding, but to do that, you have to have it in a bill that my Republican colleagues need to support. All of these things are very difficult when you don’t have control of the House and don’t have control of the Senate.”

    “Democratic members of Congress will work to maintain FEMA, strengthen FEMA, and get more dollars into states when these events arrive,” Green added. “We cannot eliminate the one agency that has the experience and the expertise to manage a disaster.”

    [ad_2]

    April Towery

    Source link

  • Latest updates: Tracking Hurricane Gabrielle and 2 tropical waves in the Atlantic

    [ad_1]

    Hurricane Gabrielle continues to strengthen as it moves across the Atlantic Ocean on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Gabrielle is anticipated to strengthen into a Category 3 storm by Tuesday. Meanwhile, the NHC is monitoring two more tropical waves in the Atlantic. Hurricane GabrielleHurricane Gabrielle is currently located southeast of Bermuda and moving north-northwest at 10 mph. Gabrielle has maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and a minimum central pressure of 978 mb.By Tuesday, Gabrielle is forecast to be a Category 3 storm. ImpactsHurricane Gabrielle isn’t expected to hit the U.S., but the swells generated by the storm will affect Bermuda for a few days. These swells are now reaching the east coast of the United States from North Carolina northward. Central tropical waveA tropical wave is producing showers and thunderstorms west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, according to the NHC.Environmental conditions are not favorable for initial development over the next day or two but are expected to gradually become more favorable by the middle to latter part of this week, NHC says.A tropical depression could form as the system moves west-northwestward across the central AtlanticFormation chance through the next 48 hours: 20%Formation chance through the next 7 days: 70% East of Windward IslandsNHC is monitoring another tropical wave located east of the Lesser Antilles Islands.The development is producing a small area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms as it moves quickly westward. Environmental conditions appear only marginally conducive for further development over the next several days.By the latter part of this week, the system is expected to slow down and turn more northwestward, moving north of Hispaniola, according to the NHC.Formation chance through the next 48 hours: 10%Formation chance through the next 7 days: 40%Hurricane season 2025The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.>> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival GuideThe First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.>> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast

    Hurricane Gabrielle continues to strengthen as it moves across the Atlantic Ocean on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

    Gabrielle is anticipated to strengthen into a Category 3 storm by Tuesday. Meanwhile, the NHC is monitoring two more tropical waves in the Atlantic.

    Hurricane Gabrielle

    Hurricane Gabrielle is currently located southeast of Bermuda and moving north-northwest at 10 mph.

    Gabrielle has maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and a minimum central pressure of 978 mb.

    By Tuesday, Gabrielle is forecast to be a Category 3 storm.

    Impacts

    Hurricane Gabrielle isn’t expected to hit the U.S., but the swells generated by the storm will affect Bermuda for a few days.

    These swells are now reaching the east coast of the United States from North Carolina northward.

    Central tropical wave

    A tropical wave is producing showers and thunderstorms west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, according to the NHC.

    Environmental conditions are not favorable for initial development over the next day or two but are expected to gradually become more favorable by the middle to latter part of this week, NHC says.

    A tropical depression could form as the system moves west-northwestward across the central Atlantic

    Formation chance through the next 48 hours: 20%

    Formation chance through the next 7 days: 70%

    East of Windward Islands

    NHC is monitoring another tropical wave located east of the Lesser Antilles Islands.

    The development is producing a small area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms as it moves quickly westward.

    Environmental conditions appear only marginally conducive for further development over the next several days.

    By the latter part of this week, the system is expected to slow down and turn more northwestward, moving north of Hispaniola, according to the NHC.

    Formation chance through the next 48 hours: 10%

    Formation chance through the next 7 days: 40%

    Hurricane season 2025

    The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.

    >> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival Guide

    The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.

    >> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Tropical Storm Gabrielle Breaks ‘Unprecedented’ Atlantic Storm Drought

    [ad_1]

    An exceptionally long lull in Atlantic storm activity finally came to an end Wednesday as Tropical Storm Gabrielle took shape. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center expect this storm to strengthen into the second hurricane of the season by Sunday.

    Gabrielle’s emergence followed 20 days of no named storms in the Atlantic basin—a dry spell that WPLG-TV hurricane specialist Michael Lowry called “unprecedented” for the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. As of Friday morning, Gabrielle had maximum sustained wind speeds of 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour). The storm, in the Caribbean Sea, was located about 595 miles (960 kilometers) east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and moving west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph).

    What to expect from Gabrielle this weekend

    NHC forecasters expect Gabrielle to follow a similar path to Hurricane Erin, the first of the 2025 season. This Category 5 storm skirted past the Caribbean Islands and slid up the U.S. East Coast without ever making landfall in August, but it still managed to churn up life-threatening rip currents and storm surge that impacted coastal communities.

    Swells generated by Gabrielle should reach Bermuda Friday night and build through the weekend, bringing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, according to the NHC. As the storm tracks west, forecasters expect it to take a northerly turn that will keep it in the open Atlantic but bring it close to Bermuda on Monday. By then, it will likely already have strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (167 kph).

    On Friday morning, Gabrielle was looking more organized than it did earlier in the week, according to Texas-based meteorologist Matt Lanza. This storm has been battling wind shear that should die down over the next couple days, creating more favorable conditions for strengthening. Lanza said there’s a slight chance the storm could reach major hurricane status by late Sunday or Monday, with one forecast model showing odds of rapid intensification over four times higher than normal.

    “We’ve seen higher odds before, but that’s still rather healthy, all things considered,” Lanza wrote in a post on The Eyewall, a weather blog he co-authors.

    It’s too early to predict how Gabrielle will affect the East Coast. While forecasters currently expect the storm to keep its distance, coastal impacts will depend on its strength. It’s possible that some communities could see rip currents and storm surge similar to the effects of Hurricane Erin, but again, this remains to be seen.

    The Atlantic basin’s reawakening

    Since the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season officially began on September 10, the basin has been unusually quiet. “In the modern satellite era (since 1966) we’ve never seen a shutout during this very active 18-day window of the season, when on average [four] named storms and [two] hurricanes form each season,” Lowry wrote in a post on his Substack, Eye on the Tropics.

    As of Monday, the 2025 season’s overall activity was almost 50% below average, but it probably won’t stay that way for much longer, he reported. Gabrielle may be the first of several storms to emerge as storm formation zones shift closer to the U.S. East Coast heading into October, according to Lowry. Despite the recent lull, all eyes will remain on the Atlantic basin as we brace for its reawakening.

    [ad_2]

    Ellyn Lapointe

    Source link

  • Invest 92-L could become next tropical storm; NHC monitoring new area of interest

    [ad_1]

    The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two areas in the Atlantic. Tropical wave Invest 92-LThe tropical wave, designated as Invest 92-L, is located between the Windward Islands and the coast of West Africa and is producing showers and thunderstorms.Dry and stable air could likely limit this system’s development over the next few days, but a tropical depression or named storm could form by the middle to latter part of this week.The system is expected to move west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph over the central tropical Atlantic, the NHC said.Related: Tracking Invest 92-L: Maps, path, spaghetti models Formation chance through the next 48 hours: 90%Formation chance through the next 7 days: 90%At this time, the development is not expected to affect the U.S.Eastern tropical wave The NHC tagged a new area to monitor off the west coast of Africa. The tropical wave is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Slow development of the system is possible as it moves from the eastern to the central portion of the Atlantic. Formation chance through the next 48 hours: 10%Formation chance through the next 7 days: 20%Hurricane season 2025The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.>> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival GuideThe First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.>> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2

    The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two areas in the Atlantic.

    Tropical wave Invest 92-L

    The tropical wave, designated as Invest 92-L, is located between the Windward Islands and the coast of West Africa and is producing showers and thunderstorms.

    Dry and stable air could likely limit this system’s development over the next few days, but a tropical depression or named storm could form by the middle to latter part of this week.

    The system is expected to move west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph over the central tropical Atlantic, the NHC said.

    Related: Tracking Invest 92-L: Maps, path, spaghetti models

    Formation chance through the next 48 hours: 90%

    Formation chance through the next 7 days: 90%

    At this time, the development is not expected to affect the U.S.

    Eastern tropical wave

    The NHC tagged a new area to monitor off the west coast of Africa. The tropical wave is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

    Slow development of the system is possible as it moves from the eastern to the central portion of the Atlantic.

    Formation chance through the next 48 hours: 10%

    Formation chance through the next 7 days: 20%

    Hurricane season 2025

    The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.

    >> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival Guide

    The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.

    >> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast

    >> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Invest 91-L to become next tropical depression in the Atlantic Ocean, NHC says

    [ad_1]

    Invest 91-L is expected to become a tropical depression this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.The tropical wave, tagged as Invest 91-L, is producing concentrated but disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the eastern tropical Atlantic. The environmental conditions appear conducive for the system to continue developing.According to the NHC, the system is expected to be near the Lesser Antilles by mid-next week. A tropical depression is expected to form this weekend.At this time, it is too early to determine what, if any, impacts this disturbance may cause.Formation chances for the next 48 hours: 60%Formation chances for the next seven days: 90% Global modelsModels are taking the system toward the Caribbean islands. If it rapidly intensifies, the system would recurve. The weaker the system stays, the further it shifts westward. However, once the wave develops into a tropical depression, it will be easier to determine its potential path. Hurricane season 2025The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.>> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival GuideThe First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.>> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2

    Invest 91-L is expected to become a tropical depression this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.

    The tropical wave, tagged as Invest 91-L, is producing concentrated but disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the eastern tropical Atlantic.

    The environmental conditions appear conducive for the system to continue developing.

    According to the NHC, the system is expected to be near the Lesser Antilles by mid-next week. A tropical depression is expected to form this weekend.

    At this time, it is too early to determine what, if any, impacts this disturbance may cause.

    • Formation chances for the next 48 hours: 60%
    • Formation chances for the next seven days: 90%

    Global models

    Models are taking the system toward the Caribbean islands. If it rapidly intensifies, the system would recurve.

    The weaker the system stays, the further it shifts westward.

    However, once the wave develops into a tropical depression, it will be easier to determine its potential path.

    Hurricane season 2025

    The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.

    >> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival Guide

    The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.

    >> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast

    >> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • National Hurricane Center tags Invest 91-L in Atlantic Ocean

    [ad_1]

    The National Hurricane Center tagged Invest 91-L in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday morning. The tropical wave, tagged as Invest 91-L, is located several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Showers and thunderstorms are associated with this tropical wave. The environmental conditions appear conducive for the system to continue developing.According to the NHC, the system is expected to move westward to west-northwestward at a speed of 5 to 10 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic throughout the week. A tropical depression is expected to form this week or next week.At this time, it is too early to determine what, if any, impacts this disturbance may cause.Formation chances for the next 48 hours: 60%Formation chances for the next seven days: 90% Global modelsRecent trends indicate a westward shift in the system’s trajectory. Both the European and GFS models are keeping the system from making landfall in the U.S.However, once the wave develops into a tropical depression, it will be easier to determine its potential path. Hurricane season 2025The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.>> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival GuideThe First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.>> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2

    The National Hurricane Center tagged Invest 91-L in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday morning.

    The tropical wave, tagged as Invest 91-L, is located several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.

    Showers and thunderstorms are associated with this tropical wave. The environmental conditions appear conducive for the system to continue developing.

    According to the NHC, the system is expected to move westward to west-northwestward at a speed of 5 to 10 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic throughout the week.

    A tropical depression is expected to form this week or next week.

    At this time, it is too early to determine what, if any, impacts this disturbance may cause.

    • Formation chances for the next 48 hours: 60%
    • Formation chances for the next seven days: 90%

    Global models

    Recent trends indicate a westward shift in the system’s trajectory.

    Both the European and GFS models are keeping the system from making landfall in the U.S.

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    However, once the wave develops into a tropical depression, it will be easier to determine its potential path.

    Hurricane season 2025

    The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.

    >> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival Guide

    The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.

    >> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast

    >> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • A look back at Hurricane Katrina, 20 years later

    [ad_1]

    Hurricane Katrina remains infamous as one of the deadliest hurricanes ever to strike the United States.


    What You Need To Know

    • Hurricane Katrina reached Category 5 status but made landfall as a Category 3 with winds of 125 mph
    • Record storm surge was reported across the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines
    • 80% of New Orleans was under water on Aug. 31, 2005


    20 years ago on Aug. 29, it made its strongest landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in southeast Louisiana and brought devastation across the city of New Orleans and surrounding parishes.

    Meteorological history

    Hurricane Katrina developed from the remnants of Tropical Depression Ten and a tropical wave near the Lesser Antilles. It became Tropical Depression Twelve over the southeastern Bahamas on Aug. 23.

    On Aug. 24, it was classified as Tropical Storm Katrina, and it moved through the northwestern part of the Bahamas on Aug. 25. It strengthened into a hurricane on the evening of Aug. 25 just before making its first landfall near the Miami-Dade/Broward County line.

    The storm drifted southwest across southern Florida before moving over the eastern Gulf on Aug. 26. Over the warm waters of the Gulf, Katrina rapidly intensified, becoming a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 175 mph on Aug. 28.

    A satellite image of Hurricane Katrina prior to making landfall on Aug. 29, 2005. (NOAA)

    Katrina turned to the northwest and then north, making its second landfall near Buras, LA, in the southeastern part of the state on Aug. 29. It had weakened to a Category 3, with winds of 125 mph, just before landfall.

    Approximately five hours later, Katrina made a third landfall near the Louisiana/Mississippi border with winds estimated at 120 mph, still a Category 3 hurricane.


    Katrina moved over land and weakened but still maintained hurricane strength near Laurel, Mississippi. It was finally downgraded to a tropical depression on Aug. 30 before dissipating altogether on Aug. 31.

    Katrina’s impacts

    Katrina wasn’t just a Louisiana/Mississippi storm; at its height, it was 780 miles from east to west and about the same distance from north to south. Hurricane conditions were reported in southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi and southwestern Alabama, with storm surges reported as far east as Destin, FL.

    Storm surge affected coastal regions, with a 20-mile-wide swath of 24 to 28 feet along the Mississippi Coast. The highest surge was at Pass Christian, MS, at 27.8 feet. The storm surge was so high that it overtopped the levees in the city of New Orleans, leading to levee failures and extensive flooding. 80% of New Orleans was under water on Aug. 31.

    The damage and destruction it caused equated to $125 billion (un-adjusted 2005 dollars). Not to mention the thousands of lives lost.


    More Storm Season Resources


    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    [ad_2]

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

    Source link

  • Tropical Storm Fernand forms, another tropical wave is approaching the Caribbean

    [ad_1]

    August 24 Update

    Tropical Storm Fernand has formed in the Atlantic, our 6th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Thankfully this storm will stay well off the east coast of the United States, so no impacts are expected anywhere in the U.S. Elsewhere, and of greater interest to us here in Texas, a tropical wave is pushing towards the Caribbean. Current development odds are at 40% according to the NHC, and we’ll continue to monitor this system as it enters the Caribbean to see if it will eventually work it’s way into the Gulf. As of now, the odds for this storm to make it into the Gulf are low, but we’ll keep a watchful eye on it over the coming week.

    August 23 Update

    The remnants of what was Erin continues to spin away from the U.S., but we’re keeping a watch on two potential storms in Erin’s wake. First off, a tropical wave that now has a 90% chance of development according the the National Hurricane Center. While this area will likely be our next named storm, it will be another low impact storm, staying well off the coast of the United States. Of slightly more interest in a tropical wave approaching the Caribbean with a 20% chance of development. While that wave is expected to move into the Caribbean, there isn’t really a lot of model support for any development, so it’s unlikely to be an issue. We’ll keep an eye on things as we continue to approach the peak of hurricane season in September.

    August 22 Update

    Hurricane Erin will continue to weaken as it pulls away from the U.S. Life-threatening surf and rip currents will remain likely along the northeast coast through the weekend. Erin has a large wind field keeping the threat for coastal erosion, coastal flooding and surge.

    Behind Erin, there are two tropical waves to watch in the Atlantic. The NHC has development odds on the tropical wave just north of the Caribbean at 80% over the next 2 days. Environmental conditions are expected to become more favorable for gradual development, and a tropical depression could form later this weekend while moving west at about 20 mph. The tropical wave off the coast of Africa has a 50% chance for development.

    August 21 Update

    Coastal flooding continues along portions of the mid-Atlantic as hurricane Erin churns offshore. Erin remains a Category 2 hurricane with sustained max winds of 105 mph. Weakening is likely to begin by Friday, but is forecast to remain a hurricane into the weekend. Life-threatening surf and rip currents likely across the U.S. east coast. Erin has a large wind field increasing the threat for coastal erosion, coastal flooding and surge.

    Behind Erin, there are two tropical waves to watch in the deep Atlantic. The NHC has development odds on the tropical wave just east of the Caribbean to 70% over the next 7 days. Environmental conditions are expected to become more favorable for gradual development, and a tropical depression could form later this week while moving west at about 20 mph. The tropical wave off the coast of Africa has a 40% chance for development.

    August 20 7 a.m. Update

    Weather conditions will deteriorate along parts of the mid-Atlantic as hurricane Erin remains offshore. Erin remains a Category 2 hurricane with sustained max winds of 100 mph. Weakening is likely to begin by Friday, but is forecast to remain a hurricane into the weekend. Life-threatening surf and rip currents likely across the U.S. east coast. Erin has a large wind field increasing the threat for coastal erosion, coastal flooding and surge.

    Behind Erin, there are two tropical waves to watch in the deep Atlantic. The NHC has development odds on the tropical wave just east of the Caribbean to 60% over the next 7 days. Environmental conditions are expected to become more favorable for gradual development, and a tropical depression could form later this week while moving west at about 20 mph. The tropical wave off the coast of Africa has a 30% chance for development.

    August 19 7 a.m. Update

    Hurricane Erin is now a Category 2 hurricane with sustained max winds of 110 mph, but remains a very large storm in the western Atlantic. Life-threatening surf and rip currents likely across the U.S. east coast this week. Erin has a large wind field and is expected to become even larger increasing the threat for coastal erosion, coastal flooding and surge.

    Behind Erin, there are now two tropical waves to watch this week in the deep Atlantic. The NHC has increased development odds on the tropical wave just east of the Caribbean to 60% over the next 7 days. Environmental conditions are expected to become more favorable for gradual development, and a tropical depression could form later this week while moving west at about 20 mph. The tropical wave that just moved off the coast of Africa has a 30% chance for development.

    August 18 7 a.m. Update

    Hurricane Erin is now a Category 4 hurricane with sustained max winds of 130 mph. The center of the storm is staying north of the Caribbean islands, but many islands like Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the British Virgin Islands, and Turks and Caicos will still be lashed by outer bands. Life-threatening surf and rip currents likely across the U.S. east coast this week.

    Behind Erin, there is a new tropical wave to watch this week in the Eastern Atlantic. The NHC has increased development odds to 50% over the next 7 days. Environmental conditions are expected to become more favorable for gradual development, and a tropical depression could form later this week while moving west at about 20 mph.

    August 17 7 p.m. Update

    Hurricane Erin continues to bring heavy rain to Puerto Rico as its outer rainbands brush some of the Caribbean islands. The wind field continues to expand as the hurricane grows in size, and the tropical-storm-force winds now extend up to 205 miles from the center. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are likely along the east coast of the United State this week.

    Meanwhile, the next tropical wave threatening to develop over the Atlantic now has a 40% chance of developing over the next 7 days. It is still too early to know if this one will ever reach the Gulf, so for now it is simply something to stay aware of and track until we get greater clarity on where it will go.

    August 17 10 a.m. Update

    Hurricane Erin is now a Category 3 hurricane with sustained max winds of 125mph and gusts up to 155mph. The center of the storm is staying north of the Caribbean islands, but many islands like Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the British Virgin Islands, and Turks and Caicos will still be lashed by outer bands. The N.H.C. is forecasting Erin to become a Cat 4 by Monday, with the eventual track keeping it off the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and away from land.

    Behind Erin is a new tropical wave in the Eastern Atlantic, and for now the N.H.C. has 20% development odds over the next 7 days.

    August 16 10 a.m. Update

    Hurricane Erin has strengthened to a Cat 5 storm with max winds of 160mph. The storm underwent rapid intensification overnight, going from a tropical storm to a Cat 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours. The track of Erin will hold the storm far enough north to avoid a direct impact to any islands in the Caribbean, and far enough east to avoid direct impact to the eastern seaboard of the United States.

    The Gulf remains quiet, with no named storms and no storms expected over the next 7 days.

    August 15 1 p.m. Update

    The tropical disturbance in the Gulf has moved onto land in South Texas which has killed its chances of development. This disturbance will continue to send moisture our way today and tomorrow bringing a chance for scattered downpours in Southeast Texas.

    August 15 10.a.m. Update

    We now have our first hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season. Erin is now a Cat. 1 hurricane with 75 mph winds. Erin will continue to move west before taking a northerly turn late this weekend. It also is expected to become a major hurricane this weekend. Right now, it looks like it will stay east of the United States but it still bears watching for the east coast.

    The disturbance in the Gulf that we’ve been watching is running out of time to develop as it starts to near land. The NHC has taken its development odds down to 20% as a closed circulation has not been found. This system will move into South Texas this evening and will send moisture our way during the day, bringing rain to SE Texas.

    August 15 7.a.m. Update

    A tropical disturbance in the western Gulf has a 50% chance of development as it drifts northwest. Shower activity has started to increase and the system could become a short-lived tropical depression before it moves inland over northeastern Mexico or southern Texas Friday afternoon or evening. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall is possible along portions of northeastern Mexico and south Texas over the next couple of days. The surge in tropical moisture over the Gulf will also bring an increase in showers and storms to southeast Texas Friday and Saturday.

    Tropical Storm Erin approaches the northernmost Leeward Islands on Friday and continues to move west. It is expected to become the first hurricane of Atlantic season and could become a major hurricane by early next week. Most modeling takes Erin to the north before nearing the East Coast but it will need to be watched closely for the east coast.

    August 14 7 p.m. Update

    The National Hurricane Center now has development odds on the tropical disturbance in the western Gulf at 50%. We are confident it will continue tracking northwestward toward Brownsville and make landfall in the late morning or early afternoon Friday. Regardless of development, it’s still going to push a wave of fast-moving tropical downpours through Southeast Texas Friday impacting Houston in the early afternoon. Another wave of storms will develop before sunrise Saturday out west of Houston and push into the city around midday.

    August 14 1 p.m. Update

    The National Hurricane Center now has development odds on the tropical disturbance in the Gulf at 40%. This system is expected to move northwest moving onto land Friday either over northern Mexico or southern Texas. This disturbance is expected to move moisture our way increasing our chances of rain Friday and Saturday.

    August 14 7.a.m. Update

    A tropical wave has emerged into the Bay of Campeche. Showers and thunderstorms are starting to intensify but remain disorganized. This system has a 20% chance of development as it drifts northward. Although development odds are low, it still bears watching. At the least, we could see an increase in moisture that would enhance our rain chances slightly Friday and Saturday.

    Tropical Storm Erin, right now in the deep Atlantic, continues to move west and is expected to become the first hurricane of Atlantic season. It could become a major hurricane by early next week. Most modeling takes Erin to the north before nearing the East Coast but it will need to be watched closely for the east coast.

    August 13 7 p.m. Update

    A tropical low has now formed from the wave moving over the Yucatan Peninsula, and it will move over the warm Gulf waters overnight. The National Hurricane Center still gives it just a 20% chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm, but the Bay of Campeche is notorious for quickly spinning up storms and defying expectations. So while development odds are currently low, it still bears watching. Regardless of development, we continue to predict an increase in tropical moisture starting Friday and continuing Saturday to bring scattered tropical downpours to Southeast Texas. The winds may get a little gusty Friday along the Texas Coastal Bend as the system moves ashore near the Texas-Mexico border. The Hurricane Hunters are scheduled to investigate the tropical low on Thursday afternoon, and the National Hurricane Center is now running tropical computer models on what they have labeled “Invest 98L.”

    August 13 4 a.m. Update

    A tropical wave near the Yucatan Peninsula is expected to emerge into the southwest Gulf tonight. It has a 20% chance of development as it moves into the Gulf. Although development odds are low, it still bears watching. At the least, we could see an increase in moisture that would enhance our rain chances slightly at the end of the week.

    Tropical Storm Erin, right now in the deep Atlantic, continues to move west and is expected to become the first hurricane of Atlantic season. It could become a major hurricane by early next week. Most modeling takes Erin to the north before nearing the East Coast but it will need to be watched closely for the east coast.

    August 12 7 p.m. Update

    The National Hurricane Center now gives a tropical wave over the northwest Caribbean a 20% chance of spinning up into a tropical depression or storm once it moves into the western Gulf in a couple of days. Regardless of development, we should at least get clipped by some of its moisture to enhance our rain chances Friday and Saturday.

    August 12

    Tropical Storm Erin over the eastern Atlantic is expected to intensify into a major hurricane while skirting near the northern Caribbean this weekend into next week. It is still too early to determine what impacts, if any, Erin may bring to the Caribbean islands, Bermuda, or the east coast U.S.

    Elsewhere, a cluster of showers and thunderstorms off the northeast U.S. coast has a very low chance of developing over the next 24 hours.


    August 11 10 a.m.

    The tropical wave that moved over the Cabo Verde Islands this weekend has now formed into Tropical Storm Erin. The system currently has winds of 45 mph, gusts up to 60 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1004 mb. This storm is moving fast, westward at 20 mph. Erin will continue to strengthen day by day as it tracks west across the Atlantic, eventually becoming a hurricane later this week. Erin will likely be the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season. Then the storm is forecast to become a major hurricane Saturday as it approaches the Caribbean. From there, computer model projections show Erin taking a northerly curve into the Atlantic, staying away from the Caribbean and Gulf. So while it’s a pretty low threat to see any impacts from Erin in Houston and southeast Texas, this storm is one to watch!

    August 11

    A tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic could become the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center currently has a 90% chance of tropical development on the system, but most forecast models are in agreement about a gradual increase to hurricane strength by this weekend. The good news about this system is that it’s still very, very far away, just off the coast of Africa, and any potential U.S. impact wouldn’t happen for another 10-12 days. While the eventual path of this system isn’t set in stone, forecast models are currently showing it as more of a threat to the east coast of the US than a threat to us here in the Gulf of Mexico. Still, it’s too far out to know for sure, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on it over the next week and a half.

    August 10

    A tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic could become the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center currently has a 80% chance of tropical development on the system, but most forecast models are in agreement about a gradual increase to hurricane strength by next weekend. The good news about this system is that it’s still very, very far away, just off the coast of Africa, and any potential U.S. impact wouldn’t happen for another 10-12 days. While the eventual path of this system isn’t set in stone, forecast models are currently showing it as more of a threat to the east coast of the US than a threat to us here in the Gulf of Mexico. Still, it’s too far out to know for sure, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on it over the next week and a half.

    August 9

    As is typical this time of year, the tropics are heating up. We are currently monitoring 2 areas of potential development in the Gulf, with one of those looking increasingly likely to become a named storm over the next week. That particular wave is just coming off the coast of Africa, meaning that even if it were to eventually impact the U.S., it wouldn’t be for another 10 to 12 days, giving us plenty of time to keep a watchful eye on it. For now, the storm has 40% development odds, and most models eventually bring it to the east coast of the US or just off the eastern seaboard.

    August 8

    Dexter has dissipated and is no longer a threat. We continue to monitor two areas of potential development, one off the East Coast and one over the central Atlantic.

    The tropical wave over the central Atlantic has a higher probability to develop over the next 7 days. Formation odds have increased to 60 percent. We continue to see signs that the tropics may become even more active the second half of August as wind shear relaxes across the Gulf, Caribbean, and West Atlantic. Meanwhile, the Eastern Pacific remains very active with two named storms.

    August 7

    Dexter continues to move over the northern Atlantic and is no threat to land.

    We are still monitoring an area off the Southeast coast for a low risk of development. It may not gain tropical characteristics until it is well away from the coast.

    Otherwise, there is still a moderate risk of development over the central Atlantic during the next 7 days. Formation odds have increased to 60 percent.

    In the Eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Henriette is still tracking over the open waters, and should track to the north of Hawaii. Tropical Storm Ivo has formed and is expected to bring heavy rain to the coast of Mexico over the next few days.

    August 6

    Tropical Storm Dexter remains in the Atlantic and poses no threat to land.

    We continue to monitor two other areas for potential development. A tropical wave off the coast of Africa has a medium chance for development. Formation odds are 50 percent during the next 7 days. Another system off the East Coast also has a medium chance of forming into a tropical depression or storm over the next 7 days. Formation odds at 40 percent.

    August 5

    Dexter remains a tropical storm in the Atlantic and poses no threat to land.

    We continue to monitor two other areas for potential development. A tropical wave off the coast of Africa has a medium chance for development. Formation odds are 50 percent during the next 7 days. Another system off the East Coast also has a medium chance of forming into a tropical depression or storm over the next 7 days. Formation odds at 40 percent.

    August 4

    Tropical Storm Dexter has formed in the open Atlantic Ocean off the eastern US coast, and will pose no threat to land.

    We continue to monitor two other areas for potential development. A tropical wave that will emerge off the coast of Africa in the coming days has a medium chance for development. Another system off the East Coast has a low chance of forming into a tropical depression or storm over the next 7 days. Formation odds at 30 percent.

    August 3

    There is now a low chance for development over the eastern Atlantic as a tropical wave is expected to move off the coast of Africa in the next day or two.

    Meanwhile, formation odds for tropical development have increased to 40 percent off the East Coast. A tropical low could develop thanks to the remains of a front that’s off the coast of the Carolinas.

    The Pacific remains active with tropical storm Gil and two other regions with medium to highs odds of developing over the next 7 days.

    August 2 Update at 7 p.m.

    This evening the National Hurricane Center outlined a new potential tropical development zone over the central Atlantic. The tropical wave that could develop is still over the African continent, but we’ll keep an eye on it just in case.

    August 2

    The Atlantic Ocean remains quiet early this August, though there is now a low chance for development off the East Coast over the next 7 days. A tropical low could develop off the East Coast thanks to the remains of a front moving through the region. Otherwise, there are a few signs that the Saharan dust could slow down, allowing for tropical waves to potential develop in the deep tropics later this month.

    Meanwhile, the Pacific remains active with hurricane Gil and two other regions with medium to highs odds of developing over the next 7 days.

    August 1

    Tropical development is not expected over the next 7 days. However the Climate Prediction Center has highlighted areas along the east coast and the eastern Gulf for potential tropical development from August 6th to 12th. We’ll need to monitor a cold front coming down across the Southeast U.S. as low pressure could develop along this front. Formation odds are low, but worth watching.

    The Pacific Basin remains active with numerous potential storms and a couple of named storms.

    July 31

    Tropical development is not expected over the next 7 days. However the Climate Prediction Center has highlighted areas along the east coast and the eastern Gulf for potential tropical development from August 6th to 12th. The odds are low, but worth monitoring as we typically see more tropical activity developing in August.

    July 30

    No tropical development is expected during the next 7 days as the Atlantic basin remains quiet. However the Climate Prediction Center has highlighted areas along the east coast and the eastern Gulf for potential tropical development from August 6th to 12th. The odds are low, but worth monitoring as we typically see more tropical activity developing in August.

    July 29 Update

    While the Pacific Basin remains active with numerous potential storms and two named storms, the Atlantic Basin remains quiet for now with no active storms and no potential storms over the next 7 days.

    July 28 Update

    While the central and eastern Pacific basin remains active with numerous potential storms, the Atlantic Basin is staying nice and quiet with no active storms and no potential storms over the next 7 days.

    July 27 Update

    No ongoing storms are currently in the Atlantic Basin, and the National Hurricane Center doesn’t have any areas highlighted for potential development over the next 7 days either. That’s great news, because the longer we can keep things quiet, the better, but we should all remain vigilant. Typically the Atlantic hurricane season doesn’t see an uptick in activity until August, with the peak activity coming in September. I’m all for the quiet start, but now isn’t the time to let your guard down.

    July 26 Update

    While the Pacific Basin remains active with numerous potential storms, the Atlantic Basin is staying nice and quiet with no active storms and no potential storms over the next 7 days.

    July 25 Update

    The Gulf disturbance we’ve been monitoring this past week will push deep tropical moisture into southeast Texas Friday and Saturday. NHC continues to monitor the system for possible development, giving it a 10% chance of becoming a depression over the next day or two as it approaches the Texas Coast. Regardless of development, locally heavy rains are the primary concern and strong thunderstorms will be possible. These storms could bring momentary street flooding and gusty winds over 40 mph. That’s why we’ve declared an ABC13 Weather Watch for Friday, so be sure to stay weather aware as you go about your business.

    July 24 7 p.m. Update

    The tropical disturbance now sits over the Gulf south of New Orleans, Louisiana. The system is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the northern Gulf coast and still has only a 10% chance of developing into a tropical depression. We do believe there will be scattered tropical downpours and strong thunderstorms over Southeast Texas tomorrow that could bring momentary street flooding and gusty winds over 40 mph. That’s why we’ve declared an ABC13 Weather Watch for Friday, so be sure to stay weather aware as you go about your business.

    July 24 Update

    A tropical disturbance over the northern Gulf still has a low risk for tropical development as it drifts westward across the Gulf. The system is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the northern Gulf coast. This moisture will eventually move into southeast Texas Friday and Saturday.

    July 23 7 p.m. Update

    The odds for tropical development in the northern Gulf remain unchanged at just 10%. While it’s unlikely to develop, it is likely to bring a surge of tropical moisture to Southeast Texas Friday and Saturday, boosting the chances for heavy downpours to 60% and 70%, respectively.

    July 23 Update

    A low risk for tropical development remains in the northern Gulf this week. This system’s close proximity to land may hinder development, but if the low tracks farther away from the coast, a tropical depression or storm could develop. Regardless of development, the system is expected to bring a surge of deep tropical moisture to Southeast Texas Friday and Saturday.

    July 22 7 p.m. Update

    The National Hurricane Center now gives a low (10%) chance of development for the tropical disturbance predicted to cross the northern Gulf this week. Regardless of development, the tropical moisture is likely to bring scattered tropical downpours to Southeast Texas Friday and Saturday.

    July 22

    Showers and thunderstorms over the central Atlantic have become less likely to develop as the environmental conditions remain unfavorable for development.

    We will continue to monitor the northern Gulf later this week as moisture rotates around an area of high pressure and brings showers and storms into southeast Texas. The National Hurricane Center has not tagged the area for any potential development yet.

    July 21

    The Atlantic is relatively quiet with just one area of possible development well off into the central Atlantic. That disturbance only has a 20% chance of development over the next 7 days.

    We also will have to keep an eye on the Gulf in the second half of this week as moisture rounds an area of high pressure and moves into the northern Gulf. Where exactly that moisture will go is still in question but we’ll keep a close eye on it. The National Hurricane Center has not tagged the area for any potential development yet.

    July 20

    The Atlantic Basin is currently fairly quiet, but there are a couple areas of interest we’ll be keeping an eye on. I’m most interested in an influx in deep tropical moisture that spreads into the Gulf this week. It’s actually remnants from the unnamed system that brought flooding to Louisiana last week, but regardless of it’s origins or any future development, it could spread some rain into Southeast Texas by the end of the work week. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has not yet tagged the area for any potential development, so it is not at all a high concern, just something we’re monitoring.

    The NHC does have a 10% chance of development on a separate system in the Central Atlantic, but it seems unlikely to develop and/or to pose a threat to Texas.

    July 19

    Things are quiet for the short term, with no immediate threats to Texas. The National Hurricane Center is highlighting a disturbance in the central Atlantic with a 20% chance of development, but as of now models are not particularly aggressive with development in the area.

    Of slightly greater interest is the potential for the remnants of the disorganized system that brought flooding rains to Louisiana to cycle around high pressure in the southern US and end up back in the northern Gulf by the end of this upcoming week. We’ll continue to watch that potential, but as of now there is no immediate risk or concern with it other than an increase in rain chances for us late next week and into the following weekend.

    July 18

    The disturbance NHC has been monitoring over the past few days has moved onshore in southern Louisiana, ending the chance for tropical depression formation. Regardless of development, increasing tropical moisture will increase rain chances to southeast Texas Friday and Saturday.

    We’re also monitoring another plume of Saharan dust over the Caribbean that will be moving into the Gulf this weekend. We could see some of that dust move into southeast Texas early next week. No other tropical development is expected over the next 7 days.

    July 17

    A tropical disturbance over the far northern Gulf this morning remains disorganized. The probability this becomes a tropical system has lowered to 30%.

    Regardless of development, increasing tropical moisture will increase rain chances late tonight through early Saturday across southeast Texas. The heaviest rain is expected across portions of the Gulf coast from Louisiana to the Mississippi Valley into the upcoming weekend as this system tracks inland. There can also be flash flooding and isolated tornadoes as well.

    July 16

    An area of low pressure over northern Florida has a 40% chance for tropical development as it moves into the Gulf later today. The system is disorganized for now, but could emerge or redevelop over the Gulf before reaching the coast of Louisiana by Thursday. If this system moves far enough offshore, conditions look favorable for additional development, and a tropical depression could still form over the next couple of days before the system moves fully inland by the end of the week.

    Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding from the Florida Panhandle to the north-central Gulf Coast beginning late today and continuing through Saturday.

    July 15

    The disturbance along the east coast of Florida now has a medium chance for tropical development. Formation odds have increased to 40% as the system moves into the northern Gulf later this week. Forecast models keep the storm weak and disorganized, and the likely outcome is a messy rainmaker stretching from Florida to central Louisiana. Regardless of development, we’ll keep our eyes on it as moisture from this system could increase our potential for showers and storms later this week.

    July 14 evening update

    Formation odds have increased to 30% over the next 2 days and 40% over the next 7 days for the system east of Florida. The latest data supports a westward track of the system into the northeast Gulf by the middle of this week. High pressure cells to its north will continue to guide it westward across the northern Gulf. It is uncertain at this time where it moves inland but an upper Texas coast landfall this weekend is not completely off the table. Please keep up with the latest forecasts.

    July 14

    Formation odds have increased to 30% for a disturbance that will move into the northern Gulf later this week. Forecast models keep the storm weak and disorganized, and the likely outcome is a messy rainmaker stretching from Florida to central Louisiana. Regardless of development, we’ll keep our eyes on it as moisture from this system could increase our potential for showers and storms later this week.

    July 13

    We are continuing to monitor a disturbance which will move cross the Florida Peninsula and move into the northern Gulf later this week. The National Hurricane Center has this potential system with a 20% chance of development over the next 7 days. Forecast models keep the storm weak and disorganized, and the likely outcome is a messy rainmaker stretching from Florida to central Louisiana, will little to no impact in Texas. We’ll keep our eyes on it, but it currently is a low concern.

    July 12 2 p.m. update

    The National Hurricane Center now highlights a potential development zone that stretches across the northern Gulf from Louisiana to Florida and into the Atlantic. An area of low pressure may eventually form east of Florida then rotate westward into the Gulf next week. The early read on this pattern is that it will primarily be a rainmaker for the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to Southeast Louisiana. There is no specific threat to Texas at this time, but we’ll keep an eye on it just in case.

    July 12

    All quiet through the Atlantic Basin for now. There are no current active storms, and no areas of potential development over the next 7 days.

    Looking ahead beyond the 7-day span, we’ll be keeping a watch on the northern Gulf as a spot that could potentially spin something up, but it is not a pressing concern, just something we’ll be keeping an eye on.

    July 11

    The tropics in both the Atlantic and the Pacific remain quiet with no tropical development expected over the next 7 days.

    We will be monitoring an area of the northern Gulf late next week that the Climate Prediction Center has highlighted for a low chance for tropical development.

    July 10

    A Saharan dust cloud moving into southeast Texas from the western Gulf. We’re expecting a hazy sky and a reduction in air quality throughout the day Thursday because of this. Another plume of dust will move into the eastern Caribbean over the weekend limiting any chance for tropical development.

    By late next week, the Climate Prediction Center has highlighted the northern Gulf for a low chance for tropical development as a cold front stalls.

    July 9

    The tropics in both the Atlantic and the Pacific remain quiet this Wednesday with no development expected over the next 7 days. A big reason why, Saharan dust! And a Saharan dust cloud currently in the western gulf will swirl north towards the Texas coast today and be over our heads tomorrow. We’re expecting a hazy sky and a reduction in air quality throughout the day Thursday because of this. Another plume of dust will move into the eastern Caribbean over the weekend.

    July 8

    We’re tracking a plume of Saharan Dust making it’s way towards Texas. Currently it looks like the highest concentration of dust will arrive Thursday, sticking around through Friday morning. The dust can be a lung irritant, and also help to suppress rain chances towards the end of the week.

    Elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin, no tropical development is expected over the next 7 days.

    July 7

    Chantal is no longer considered a tropical cyclone, but the remnants of the storm are still bringing rain into the Mid-Atlantic. Chantal was responsible for flooding rains in the Carolinas, but is now weakening rapidly.

    Elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin, no tropical development is expected over the next 7 days.

    July 6

    Chantal has weakened to a Tropical Depression after making landfall in South Carolina earlier this morning. Heavy rain is possible through both North and South Carolina. No other tropical development is expected over the next 7 days in the Atlantic Basin.

    July 5

    Tropical Storm Chantal has formed off the southeastern coast of the United States. Chantal is expected to make landfall in South Carolina on Sunday, and bring flooding rains throughout the Carolinas through early next week. This storm will have no impact on Texas.

    July 4th 4 p.m. update:

    Tropical Depression Three has formed east of Florida over the Atlantic. It is predicted to become Tropical Storm Chantal as it drifts northward toward South Carolina. This will primarily be a rainmaker for the Carolinas this weekend and early next week. Elsewhere, no tropical development is expected over the next 7 days.

    July 4

    An area of low pressure has developed off the east coast of Florida over the Atlantic Friday, and only time will tell if this could then organize enough to become the next named storm of the season. There’s a high chance of seeing that over the weekend or early next week. Regardless, this system will at the very least keep showers and storms in the forecast throughout the weekend and into early next week across parts of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. As far as future development, there will be an opportunity over the next few days where conditions could be right for a tropical depression to form. There are currently no other regions to monitor in the Atlantic. One reason for that is because of two more plumes of Saharan dust. One will impact the Gulf Coast and Texas coast Friday and Saturday with another plume moving into the eastern Caribbean early next week.

    Back in the Pacific, Flossie has fizzled out but there’s another region to watch where the next named storm could form over the next 7 days.

    July 3

    A broad area of low pressure could develop off the coast of Florida in the Atlantic heading into the holiday weekend. This is as a front pushes towards the east Coast this week. There’s a 50% chance of a tropical system developing with this pattern, mostly likely as a weak tropical or even subtropical depression. The result will be a rainy and stormy holiday weekend for Florida and coastal areas in Georgia and the Carolinas. Otherwise, another lighter plume of Saharan dust will linger across the Gulf Coast and Southeast Texas Friday and Saturday. There’s thicker cloud of Saharan dust heading into the Caribbean early next week.

    In the eastern Pacific, Flossie has weakened to a tropical storm Thursday and is forecast to dissipate entirely over the weekend. Meanwhile a new wave currently over Central America has a high chance of developing into a tropical storm over the next 7 days.

    July 2

    Saharan dust will be over our heads for the third day in a row, though not as thick as it was earlier this week. This plume will dissipate midweek as another plume swirling into the Gulf Coast into the weekend. Over Florida there is still an area to watch that has a 40% chance of development over the next 7 days. This wouldn’t pose a threat to Houston or Southeast Texas but will likely give a rainy holiday weekend to Florida and portions of the East Caost even is a storm doesn’t develop.

    In the eastern Pacific, Flossie remains a major hurricane Wednesday as a category 3 storm. Flossie is expected to weaken later this week as it tracks away from Mexico. As of now, this system is not expected to make landfall.

    July 1

    Saharan dust remains over Southeast Texas today and will continue to linger on and off through the rest of the week. In the eastern Gulf, there is an area of potential development around Florida but it only has a 20% chance of development over the next 7 days.

    June 30 9 a.m.

    Tropical Storm Barry has officially dissipated after making landfall just south of Tampico Mexico early this morning. While Barry was disorganized and short-lived, it did bring some significant rainfall to portions of Mexico. Up next on the list is Chantal, though there is no immediate risk of another storm developing.

    Of greater interest locally is the Saharan dust that has moved in to Southeast Texas today. The dust should gradually thin over the coming days, but it can be a lung irritant, especially for those with asthma or allergies.

    June 29 10 a.m.

    Tropical Storm Barry has officially formed in the Southwest Gulf, becoming our 2nd named storm of the 2025 hurricane season. Barry is currently moving northwest towards Mexico at 6mph, and should make landfall late tonight or early tomorrow morning, immediately weakening as it does. There are no direct impacts to Southeast Texas from this storm, but the increase in moisture throughout the Gulf will lead to increased rain chances this afternoon.

    Starting tonight we’ll be monitoring a batch of Saharan Dust moving into Southeast Texas, which could stick around through at least midweek.

    June 29 7 a.m.

    Tropical Depression 2 is gaining steam in the southwestern Gulf today, and become the 2nd name storm of the season later today. The limiting factor in any potential development is simply time, as T.D. 2 will be moving northwest in to Mexico by tonight or early tomorrow, and will immediately weaken upon landfall. Regardless of whether or not this storm becomes Tropical Storm Barry, our local impacts are the same, just an increase in moisture leading to about a 60% chance of showers and storms.

    Starting tonight we’ll be monitoring a batch of Saharan Dust moving into Southeast Texas, which could stick around through at least midweek.

    June 28 4 p.m.

    Potential Storm Two has developed in the Bay of Campeche and will likely become the next named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Barry. This tropical system will continue to slowly track northwest over the weekend and is expected to strengthen to a tropical storm Sunday. This will be a short-lived system though as Potential Storm Two will move ashore over Mexico late Sunday night or early Monday morning, potentially making landfall as a weak tropical storm with 40 mph winds. Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for parts of the Mexico coast.

    June 28

    A disturbance in the Bay of Campeche and southwestern Gulf now has a 50% chance of development over the next 2 days. The core of the moisture from this potential system will push west in to Mexico, which means the budding storm only has today and tomorrow to develop before it will weaken over land. Regardless of whether or not this becomes a named system, the greatest impacts will miss us well to the south. We will see an uptick in moisture spreading in to Southeast Texas on Sunday, which will bring our rain chances up to 60% to close out the weekend.

    As we move into the work week a plume of Saharan Dust will settle into Southeast Texas, creating hazy skies Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The dust can also be a lung irritant, so people with asthma or allergies may want to limit time outside.

    June 27

    Monitoring an area of showers and storms in the northwest Caribbean for potential tropical development. Formation odds are currently 20 percent over the next 7 days as the system moves into the Bay of Campeche.

    A plume of Saharan dust is expected to move into the Gulf Coast early next week.

    June 26

    The Atlantic is quiet once again with no tropical development expected over the next 7 days. That’s partly because of a large Saharan dust cloud that will blow into southeast Texas by Monday. Meanwhile, in the Eastern Pacific another storm is threatening to form south of Mexico over the next couple of days.

    June 25

    Tropical Storm Andrea has dissipated over the middle Atlantic. No other tropical development is expected over the next 7 days.

    In the eastern Pacific, conditions are favorable for tropical development southwest of Central America. This storm may further develop into a tropical depression or storm as it tracks northwestward this week.

    June 24 9 a.m.

    Tropical Storm Andrea has formed in the middle of the Atlantic ocean and brings no threat to land. Andrea should be short lived become a post-tropical remnant low by Wednesday morning.

    June 24

    Tropical moisture brings an increase in rain chances to southeast Texas this week, no tropical development is expected.

    A small area of thunderstorms east of Bermuda has become better organized and is likely to become a short-lived tropical storm later today before the system encounters an unfavorable environment. The system would get the name Andrea.

    June 23

    As deeper tropical moisture brings increasing rain chances to southeast Texas this week, no tropical development is expected. There is an area that the NHC is monitoring for a high risk for development. A cluster of showers and thunderstorms have formed east of Bermuda. Formation odds around 70% during the next 48 hours. If this system strengthens to a tropical storm, it would get the name Andrea.

    In the eastern Pacific, conditions are favorable for tropical development south of Mexico this week.

    June 22

    Rain chances will climb in Southeast Texas this week as Gulf moisture moves in, but the tropics remain quiet. No tropical development is expected over the next 7 days anywhere in the Atlantic Basin, and it looks increasingly likely we will close out June without any named storms.

    June 21

    You may notice a bit of a hazy sky today thanks to some Saharan dust that has blown into Southeast Texas. While the dust can be an irritant for those with asthma or allergies, it’s also been helping to keep tropical development at bay. So far there have been zero named storms in the Atlantic, and none are expected over the next 7 days.

    June 20

    Some Saharan dust is expected to move into Southeast Texas. That dust can make for hazy sunsets and sunrises, but can also be a lung irritant for those with asthma or allergies. At this time, the dust will blow overhead on Friday, linger through Saturday, and be gone by Sunday.

    In the eastern Pacific, Erick has weakened to a low pressure system and will continue to produce additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches to parts of southwest Mexico. The threat of flooding rains continue. The NHC is also monitoring a new area off the coast of Panama, which has a low risk of development next week. No areas are being monitored in the Atlantic.

    June 19 10 a.m. update

    Erick made landfall south of Oaxaca, MX Thursday morning. It was downgraded from a Category 4 to a Category 3 storm just before it made landfall; winds of 125 mph. Based on the forecast Erick is expected to rapidly weaken as it moves inland over the mountains of southern Mexico, with the system likely to dissipate by Thursday night or early Friday.

    June 19

    Hurricane Erick has rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane before landfall in southern Mexico near Acapulco on Thursday. Heavy rainfall, storm surge and damaging winds are expected across southern Mexico. This heavy rainfall can lead to life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides in the higher terrain. There will be significant wind and rain impacts in Acapulco. Erick will also bring dangerous waves and rip currents to the Mexican coastline through the weekend.

    Otherwise, the Atlantic remains quiet for now.

    June 18 7 p.m. update

    Hurricane Erick has rapidly intensified into a category 3 hurricane today. It is predicted to make landfall as a major hurricane in southern Mexico Thursday. This would be the first time on record a major hurricane has made landfall on Mexico’s Pacific coast in June. Heavy rainfall, storm surge and damaging winds are expected across southern Mexico for the next few days.

    June 18

    It remains quiet across the Atlantic basin, with no development expected over the next 7 days as Saharan dust continues to move west across the basin.

    In the eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Erick is expected to become a hurricane and could make landfall as a major hurricane, (Category 3) in southern Mexico Thursday. Heavy rainfall, storm surge and damaging winds are
    expected across southern Mexico for the next few days.

    June 17

    No tropical development is expected over the next 7 days in the Atlantic as Saharan dust continues to be draped across the basin.

    In the eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Erick has formed and is spinning just west of Mexico. Strengthening is forecast, and the system is expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday. Erick could produce rainfall totals of 5 to
    10 inches.

    June 16

    At this time, the tropics remain quiet as the Atlantic basin is filled with a Saharan dust cloud, limiting tropical development.

    In the eastern Pacific, the system that was once Dalila is located to the southwest of Mexico and will continue to move westward away from land and dissipate. Another tropical system could form in the eastern Pacific just west of Costa Rica over the next day or two.

    June 15

    Things are staying quiet in the Atlantic as Saharan dust remains over the Basin. We continue to monitor Tropical Storm Dalila in the eastern Pacific but it’s moving west away from Mexico so it should create little to no impacts for Mexico.

    June 14

    No tropical development is expected in the Atlantic over the next 7 days. Part of the reason for this is the large plume of Saharan dust spread over the basin. The eastern Pacific remains active though with Tropical Storm Dalila spinning just west of Mexico.

    June 13

    At this time, the Atlantic basin is filled with a Saharan dust cloud, limiting tropical development. There are signs that something may try to spin up over the Bay of Campeche over the next couple of weeks, but it’s too far out to get more specific than that.

    There is plenty of activity in the eastern Pacific off the western coast of Mexico.

    June 12

    No tropical development is expected during the next 7 days as the Atlantic basin is filled with a Saharan dust cloud, limiting any tropical development. There are signs that something may try to spin up over the Bay of Campeche over the next couple of weeks, but it’s too far out to get more specific than that.

    June 11

    No tropical development is expected over the next 7 days in the Atlantic as Saharan dust continues to move west across the basin. In the eastern Pacific, we have one named storm: Tropical Storm Cosme is spinning just west of Mexico. There are also two areas of potential development on the Pacific side… one has a 90% chance of development over the next 7 days.

    June 10

    No tropical development is expected over the next 7 days in the Atlantic as Saharan dust continues to be draped across the basin. In the eastern Pacific, we have two named storms: Barbara and Cosme spinning just west of Mexico. There is also another area of potential development that now has an 70% chance of development over the next 7 days in this same region of the eastern Pacific.

    June 9

    No tropical development is expected over the next 7 days in the Atlantic as a large plume of Saharan dust fills much of the basin. There is plenty of activity though in the eastern Pacific with two named storms: Barbara and Cosme spinning just west of Mexico.

    June 8

    No tropical development is expected during the next 7 days as the Atlantic basin is filled with a Saharan dust cloud, limiting any tropical development. There are signs that something may try to spin up over the Gulf over the next couple of weeks, but it’s too far out to get more specific than that.

    In the Eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Barbara has formed south of Mexico and is forecast to parallel the coast over the next several days. There is also an additional area for a high chance of tropical development southwest of Mexico over the next couple of days. One additional area with a low risk for development later next week south of Mexico.

    June 7

    The Saharan dust we’ve been tracking will continue to move out of Southeast Texas this weekend. The Atlantic basin remains quiet for now and tropical development is not expected over the next 7 days.

    However, in the Eastern Pacific, three different areas are being monitored off of the coast of Mexico. Two areas are at high risk of developing over the next 48 hours, and one area is considered a low risk for development from June 12-14.

    June 6

    Some Saharan dust is expected to move into Southeast Texas. That dust can make for hazy sunsets and sunrises, but can also be a lung irritant for those with asthma or allergies. At this time, the dust will blow overhead on Friday, linger through Saturday, and be gone by Sunday.

    Another Saharan dust cloud will spread over the Atlantic Basin in the coming days and limit any tropical development. There are signs that something may try to spin up over the Gulf late next week, but it’s too far out to get more specific than that.

    June 5

    Some Saharan dust is expected to move into Southeast Texas Friday and Saturday. That dust can make for hazy sunsets and sunrises, but can also be a lung irritant for those with asthma or allergies. Models have been trending down on the concentration of dust predicted to make it here, so hopefully for most folks it will be a non-issue.

    June 4

    A non-tropical area of low pressure remains off the coast of the southeastern U.S. and the NHC still has a low probability (10%) for potential development during the next seven days. Regardless of development, periods of heavy rainfall are possible for coastal communities of the Carolinas through Friday.

    Monitoring the potential for some Saharan dust to move into Southeast Texas later this week. That dust can make for hazy sunsets and sunrises, but can also be a lung irritant for those with asthma or allergies. Models have been trending down on the concentration of dust predicted to make it here, so hopefully for most folks it will be a non-issue.

    June 3

    The NHC has highlighted a non-tropical area of low pressure off the coast of the southeastern U.S. for potential development during the next two to three days. The low could gradually develop some subtropical or tropical characteristics later this week while moving northeastward at 10 to 15 mph.

    Monitoring the potential for some Saharan dust to move into Southeast Texas by this weekend. That dust can make for hazy sunsets and sunrises, but can also be a lung irritant for those with asthma or allergies. Over the past couple of days models have been trending down on the concentration of dust predicted to make it here, so hopefully for most folks it will be a non-issue.

    June 2

    Our quiet start to hurricane season looks to continue for at least another week, as the NHC is predicting no tropical development over the next seven days. Over the span of the next two to three weeks the National Hurricane Center is highlighting an area of potential development in the southern gulf and western Caribbean which could eventually produce a tropical cyclone, but it is not an immediate threat and for now it remains just an area we will watch closely.

    Of greater interest to us here in Southeast Texas is the potential for some Saharan dust to move in by this weekend. That dusk can make for hazy sunsets and sunrises, but can also be a lung irritant for those with asthma or allergies. Over the past couple of days models have been trending down on the concentration of dust predicted to make it here, so hopefully for most folks it will be a non-issue.

    June 1

    While the NHC is expecting an active hurricane season (more on that below), we are off to a quiet start on this first day of hurricane season. There are currently no active storms in the Atlantic Basin, nor are any storms expected to develop in the next seven days.

    May 29

    The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane season begins on June 1 and lasts through the end of November.

    After a record season for the Gulf Coast in 2024, which included Hurricane Beryl making landfall in southeast Texas, ABC13 Meteorologist Elyse Smith has a preview of what to look out for this year.

    Let’s start with the El Niño, or La Niña. This hurricane season is more than likely going to be an ENSO neutral year, or a “La Nada.” This means the Trade Winds over the Atlantic are in their usual position at normal strength. There’s no major influence on jet stream patterns or ocean temperatures like there would be during an El Niño or La Niña. The other top driver will be ocean temperatures, as it is every year. The warmer the water, the higher the likelihood for storms to develop and intensify.

    Storm development can depend on the status of the West African Monsoon. That’s what sends clusters of thunderstorms to the Atlantic, which can then become a tropical system. What can limit that from happening is Saharan Dust, which usually occurs earlier in the season. So, when it comes to storms that could threaten southeast Texas, local weather patterns and those over the Caribbean can be the final factor. If the jet stream is over the Gulf, there’s higher wind shear that can weaken tropical systems.

    NOAA’s 2025 hurricane prediction is above-normal activity in the Atlantic this year. The outlook for 2025 predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The agency is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 6-10 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3-5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).

    Researchers with Colorado State University are calling for above normal conditions, calling for 17 tropical storms, with nine of those becoming hurricanes, and four potential major hurricanes.

    Another way to preview an upcoming hurricane season is through analog years. These are past years which, based on similar atmospheric conditions, could be comparable to what this season might look like. Dr. Phil Klotzbach with Colorado State University told ABC13 Meteorologist Elyse Smith that these years are 1996, 1999, 2006, 2008, 2011, and 2017.

    Some of these years will stand out to Texans, and for good reason: 2008 for Hurricane Ike and 2017 for Harvey. However, consider 2006 and 1999, which were very different seasons for the Texas coast. 2006 was a slightly below normal year in terms of the number of storms, and no hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. Tropical storms did hit Florida that year. 2011 was active for the Atlantic and Bay of Campeche, but not necessarily the Gulf

    Copyright © 2025 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.

    [ad_2]

    Travis Herzog

    Source link

  • Hurricane Erin moves away, but residual effects at the coast continue into the weekend

    [ad_1]

    Hurricane Erin made its closest approach to the tristate late on Thursday, delivering dangerous rip currents, rough surf, and coastal flooding along our shores. Conditions will improve as we head toward the weekend, but we’ll continue to see residual impacts from Erin at the coast, so swimming at the beach will remain dangerous due to the high rip current threat. Fortunately, though, skies will be brighter and temperatures will be warmer for those of you who want to dig your toes in the sand.

    The rip current risk has been high all week, even leading to the closure of some area beaches. And we’ll see that high risk persist through at least Friday, if not Saturday. The rip currents are strong enough to carry out even the most experienced swimmers. Stay out of the water as long as we continue to face a high threat for dangerous rip currents, even if there is a lifeguard on duty.

    We saw surf zone wave heights peak on Thursday, where eastern Long Island beaches saw waves up to 16 feet. Surf won’t quite reach the same heights on Friday, but we’ll continue to face high surf conditions across both New Jersey and Long Island, where waves could still reach heights upwards of 10 feet. Surf heights will continue to go down day by day, but even by Saturday, we could still see waves well above what is usual for our coastal spots. It won’t be until Sunday into Monday that we’ll really see the sea settling.

    On top of impacts within the ocean, Erin also kicked up some brisk easterly winds contributing to moderate levels of coastal flooding Thursday night, where we saw inundations in low-lying areas up to 2 ½ feet. As Erin continues to move further north and east, away from our area, its influence on the strength of our onshore winds will diminish, but we’ll continue to see the effects through Friday, though not quite to the same degree. Thursday’s coastal flood warnings will go down a level of an advisory on Friday, though flooding in especially vulnerable areas could still reach up to 2 feet.

    But even as we continue to see lingering effects from Hurricane Erin, making it difficult to enjoy time in the ocean, weather conditions will grow increasingly favorable as the weekend goes on for a day spent out on the sand. High temperatures will be back up into the 80s for most of us as we enjoy a run of days with low humidity, light winds, and sunny skies. Even the upcoming rain chances we are watching for Sunday won’t bring much impact to our coastal areas. And the areas that do see rain won’t get any until late Sunday night.

    So we may still be in the throes of Erin’s influence for now, but the worst is behind us. Coastal conditions will slowly start to improve and just in time for a gorgeous weekend. You’ll want to get outside and enjoy it while you can; summer days are fleeting… and Labor Day is a little over a week away.

    [ad_2]

    Lauren Maroney, NBC New York and Storm Team 4

    Source link

  • Invest 90-L could become a tropical depression this weekend | NHC tracking 4 areas

    [ad_1]

    The National Hurricane Center is tracking three areas of interest in the eastern Atlantic for possible development.This is in addition to Hurricane Erin, which is anticipated to remain offshore of the Eastern U.S. coast. Leeward Islands – Invest 90-LA tropical wave located a few hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands is showing increased shower and storm activity. Conditions appear conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form this weekend.Formation chance through 48 hours: 40%Formation chance through 7 days: 70% Eastern Tropical Atlantic – Invest 99-LInvest 99-L is producing showers and storms several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and is starting to show some signs of organization. Recent satellite-derived wind data depict that the system does not have a well-defined center and therefore is not a tropical depression yet. Conditions appear marginally favorable for additional development in the next day or two, and it could become a short-lived tropical depression. By the end of the week, conditions appear unfavorable for further development.Formation chance through 48 hours: 40%Formation chance through 7 days: 40% Central AtlanticThe NHC tagged a small area of low pressure in the Atlantic. It is currently located 1,200 miles southwest of the Azores and producing limited showers and thunderstorms. Formation chance through 48 hours: 30%Formation chance through 7 days: 30%Hurricane Erin Hurricane Erin is beginning to pull away from the North Carolina coast on Thursday morning. Erin is forecast to remain at this intensity through Friday morning before weakening to a Category 1 storm as it moves into the northern Atlantic.Beachgoers should follow the guidance of lifeguards and any beach warning flags. Hurricane season 2025The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.>> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival GuideThe First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.>> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast

    The National Hurricane Center is tracking three areas of interest in the eastern Atlantic for possible development.

    This is in addition to Hurricane Erin, which is anticipated to remain offshore of the Eastern U.S. coast.

    Leeward Islands – Invest 90-L

    A tropical wave located a few hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands is showing increased shower and storm activity.

    Conditions appear conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form this weekend.

    Formation chance through 48 hours: 40%

    Formation chance through 7 days: 70%

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Eastern Tropical Atlantic – Invest 99-L

    Invest 99-L is producing showers and storms several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and is starting to show some signs of organization.

    Recent satellite-derived wind data depict that the system does not have a well-defined center and therefore is not a tropical depression yet.

    Conditions appear marginally favorable for additional development in the next day or two, and it could become a short-lived tropical depression.

    By the end of the week, conditions appear unfavorable for further development.

    Formation chance through 48 hours: 40%

    Formation chance through 7 days: 40%

    Central Atlantic

    The NHC tagged a small area of low pressure in the Atlantic. It is currently located 1,200 miles southwest of the Azores and producing limited showers and thunderstorms.

    Formation chance through 48 hours: 30%

    Formation chance through 7 days: 30%

    Hurricane Erin

    Hurricane Erin is beginning to pull away from the North Carolina coast on Thursday morning.

    Erin is forecast to remain at this intensity through Friday morning before weakening to a Category 1 storm as it moves into the northern Atlantic.

    Beachgoers should follow the guidance of lifeguards and any beach warning flags.

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Hurricane season 2025

    The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Stay with WESH 2 online and on air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.

    >> More: 2025 Hurricane Survival Guide

    The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.

    >> 2025 hurricane season | WESH long-range forecast

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Time to evacuate: What are 23 items for your emergency kit?

    [ad_1]

    Every year at the beginning of hurricane season, I repack my hurricane emergency kit. Living along the coast of South Carolina, you never know when a storm is going to hit and how much time you’ll have to prepare.

    That’s why it’s best to have an emergency kit ready all the time. If you don’t have a lot of time to grab it, you want it ready to go.

    A hurricane emergency kit is a pre-determined container that holds items for you that you would need in an emergency evacuation or short term loss of power in you home resulting from a hurricane.

    While you may be able to easily get to a location out of town that will have everything you need, you might not. Traffic could end up being too bad and you’re stuck on the highway. Roads could be washed out and you have to camp on the side of the road.

    It could also be that you stayed in your home during a hurricane and didn’t evacuate and the storm ended up worse than expected. Now you don’t have power or water and you don’t know what to do.

    It’s always good to be prepared with a hurricane emergency kit if you live on the coast, so let’s make sure you have everything in it that you need.

    The essential items for your hurricane emergency kit

    Make sure you create a hurricane emergency kit for your family at the beginning of hurricane season. While hurricanes generally take a long time to develop and you have a lot of time to prepare, it’s always good to have this in your back pocket. Plus, you’ll have plenty of other things to do to prepare your home that will take up your time.

    An emergency kit should be kept ready to go and in your car or garage throughout the season. This kit will help you get by if you have to leave last minute (especially if you didn’t heed official warnings) or if you can’t find a good place for your family to go immediately.

    The essential items to include in your emergency kit are:

    Consumables for your emergency kit

    Each emergency kit needs to have consumable supplies for each member of your family. These include:

    • Water (one gallon, per person, per day)

    • Medication and over the counter medicine

    These consumable items are going to be hard to find in a storm-ravaged area after the storm has past. You might have a hard time accessing grocery stores or even have any that have food left. So it’s best to be stocked before.

    If you’re trapped on the road, you want to make sure you have these items as well so you can eat on the road if you need to. Always have your medications and over the counter medicines as well.

    And please please please remember to take items for your pets. This includes their food, water for them, and any medications they need.

    First aid kit with bandages, alcohol, povidone, adhesive tape, cotton, and scissors

    Personal items

    Make sure that your hurricane emergency kit contains personal items for each person in your family. These include:

    • Change of clothes (per person, per day)

    You might not be able to wash clothes after a storm, so make sure you have several sets of clothes ready to go. If you end up evacuating last minute, these might be the only clothes you have to cycle through until you can return home.

    Make sure you’re stocked up on items to take care of yourself as well. You may need to wipe down in lieu of a shower and use facilities you wouldn’t normally use.

    Woman checking the list of emergency survival kit. Preparing for disaster and crisis at home. High resolution 42Mp studio digital capture taken with SONY A7rII and Zeiss Batis 40mm F2.0 CF lens

    Tools and supplies

    You should also have certain tools and supplies that you take with you to make sure you are ready for certain situations. These include:

    If you’re on the go or stuck at home without power, you might find that certain items can be used for ways you wouldn’t have thought of, so it’s good to have certain items like safety pins, utility knife, rope, duct tape or trash bags available.

    Always have a flashlight to see and an emergency radio so that you can get updates on the storm if cell towers are out or your phone can’t charge.

    Plus-size woman in middle age checks medicines in a doomsday prepping kit at a table in a living room. Packing warm clothes, flashlight, power bank, medicines, water, and other emergency essentials for natural disasters.

    Stationary items

    Finally, make sure you have these additional paper products with you in your emergency evacuation kit.

    Take any important documents that you can’t afford to lose if something happens to your home. This includes birth certificates, insurance information, passports, titles, etc.

    You’ll also want to have maps on hand in case your phone dies or if electronic maps don’t reroute to accommodate for closed roads after storms. And have some cash with you as well, just in case stores are unable to operate card machines with no power or loss of wifi access.

    How should I store an emergency evacuation kit

    Your hurricane emergency kit should be stored in your car or garage all season long. The best containers for your kit could be a large plastic storage bin, large duffel bag, or a large suitcase.

    It’s best to start by gathering all your items and seeing how much room you’ll need, then finding a container to fit it all.

    In conclusion…

    I really hope you don’t need to use your hurricane evacuation emergency kit, but I hope you have one. It’s very important to keep this up to date each hurricane season so you’re ready to go at a moment’s notice.

    After you make your hurricane emergency kit, make sure you are up to date on all the ways you need to prepare if a hurricane is on its way.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Where to expect tropical activity in June

    [ad_1]

    The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1.

    With above normal activity expected, it’s important to know where tropical systems could form.


    What You Need To Know

    • June tropical activity is most likely in the Gulf
    • Storms that develop typically move northeastward
    • Only four June hurricanes have made landfall in the U.S. since 1950


    Even though systems can form before hurricane season, June is still very early in hurricane season. Tropical systems typically struggle to develop, and those that do usually only strengthen into a disorganized system or weak hurricane.

    The most favorable areas for tropical development in June are the Gulf, the northern Caribbean Sea and the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, just off the southeastern coast.

    Systems that develop typically take a northeastward track. 

    Since 1950, only four hurricanes have made landfall in the U.S. during June, all of them along the Gulf Coast. Bonnie and Agnes made landfall as Category 1 hurricanes, while Audrey and Alma strengthened into major hurricanes. 

    Development zones expand and tropical activity increases as we get further into summer. 


    Read More About Hurricanes



    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    [ad_2]

    Meteorologist Reid Lybarger

    Source link

  • Bradenton dog trainer prepares home to take in dogs during a hurricane

    [ad_1]

    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — In Manatee County, a dedicated dog trainer has taken her commitment to K9s even further when it comes to making preparations for hurricane season.

    Julie Madison has owned Top Tier K9 in Bradenton for two years. She boards and trains dogs and can also prepare them to be service or emotional support animals.

    She is also making sure her home is prepared for storm season.

    “This is actually now a hurricane-rated shed as well. So both the house and this building are rated for like 150 mile an hour winds,” she said.

    The upgrades to her home will allow her to take in more dogs this year during a storm.

    “I spent, probably, about $20,000 in upgrades to make sure everything would be secure and safe,” she said.

    During Hurricane Milton, 17 dogs stayed inside her home — including her own, her clients’, and 11 emergency take-ins.

    “During hurricanes, I take dogs on an emergency basis. No matter if you could have the most perfect dog, they’re still welcome here. Just because I know that not all places accept dogs when you’re traveling,” she said.

    Milton caused minor flooding at Madison’s home, and she was without power for nine days. But now she’s got backup.

    “I have the battery backup, which means now I will have power going forward. So the dogs will still have air conditioning, and I also have air conditioning,” she said.

    She’s added more solar panels, repaired her fence, and upgraded all the kennels to be storm-ready. She even invested in water storage.

    “These are two 350-gallon water containers. I need water for my dogs,” she said.

    “I just love saving lives on the dog end and on the person end. And if I can do that, and I can change as many lives positively as possible, that’s what I would like to do with the rest of the time I got,” she said.

    Julie’s on a mission — to help her four-legged companions and their owners.

    Julie says she can only house between 18 and 20 dogs total in her home, so the number of emergency take-ins is limited.

    [ad_2]

    Julia Hazel

    Source link

  • Manatee County prioritizes hurricane affected residents

    [ad_1]

    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Each year, Manatee County pays for the rehabilitation of dozens of homes in unincorporated parts of the county and Palmetto.

    It’s part of the county’s State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP).


    What You Need To Know

    • Those who were affected by last year’s hurricanes will receive priority when determining who gets part of the $1.2 million in funds
    • The SHIP program is for low-income residents in Palmetto and unincorporated Manatee County who need housing rehabilitation and replacement help
    • Resident Patricia Hart was a past recipient of the SHIP program and she said it helped her greatly

    But this year, those who were affected by last year’s hurricanes will receive priority when determining who gets part of the $1.2 million in funds.

    “So, we address health and safety issues first, and then all code-related (issues). And then, we do the hurricane mitigation. So, we do windows, roofs, doors, any kind of additional strapping, trimming of trees — anything that would help mitigate a storm so people could safely shelter in place,” said Housing and Community Development Coordinator Deborah Ash.

    Resident Patricia Hart was a past recipient of the SHIP program and she said it helped her a lot.

    “I feel it was a blessing from God, I really do,” she said.

    Hart says this blessing could last her lifetime.

    “It happened at the best time—before the storm. It’s such a blessing. This doesn’t come around that often. For me, this is so special,” she said.

    Hart lived in her home for 22 years, but it was in need of some repairs. Help came from Manatee County’s State Housing Initiative Program. It’s for low- to very low-income residents in Palmetto and unincorporated Manatee County who need housing rehabilitation and replacement help.

    “They just did a wonderful job in here. Painted it. Did the floors. And the AC wasn’t coming through in here, and they patched it up. So now it’s cool in this room too. They redid my bathroom — the tile in there,” Hart said.

    She applied in 2023 and was approved. Over the course of nine months, everything on her list was completed and all finalized before Hurricane Debby impacted the area.

    “I didn’t have hurricane-proof doors,” she said.

    Now that she does, she says she feels safer in her home during a hurricane.

    “I stayed in here like a champ. I’m covered by the grace of God,” Hart said.

    But trying to cover the costs of her improvements — like a new driveway, fresh paint, and a new roof — just wasn’t in her budget.

    “I wasn’t making the money to do the repairs, so this was a big help to me, you know,” she said.

    Hart says the county’s help will protect her home for years to come.

    The deadline to apply for the SHIP program is April 7 at 5 p.m.

    [ad_2]

    Julia Hazel

    Source link

  • Disaster Expo prepares Pasco community for future natural disasters

    [ad_1]

    SHADY HILLS, Fla. — Every year in Pasco County, officials hold their disaster expo to help the community prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. 

    Organizers say this year takes on even more importance after 2024 was filled with hurricanes.

    Pasco County Emergency Management Director Andrew Fossa said when the weather got intense during the hurricanes in 2024, rescue crews had to use some special equipment to get to people.


    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County held an annual disaster expo to prepare for hurricanes
    • Officials used the expo to showcase technologies like airboats and drones used in rescues
    • The emphasis is on the importance of being prepared and evacuating rather than risking safety


    “It flooded the golf course,” he said. “It started getting into their houses and they same in and they started plucking the residents out as fast as they could.”

    Fossa said they want to make sure those who live in the county are prepared for severe weather.

    From the Florida Wildlife Commission bringing in an airboat to the Sheriff’s Office showing off their drones, they want to give people a look into what it takes to get to those trapped in dangerous situations.

    “It’s better to be prepared and evacuate and nothing happened than say no, I can ride this out,” Fossa said.

    [ad_2]

    Matt Lackritz

    Source link