Texas Storm Nicholas subsides as it moves inland
Tropical Storm Nicholas weakened, on Tuesday, September 14, as it advanced inland in Texas (southern US), where it made landfall earlier as a hurricane before it was demoted by meteorologists.
In its latest bulletin, at 11 a.m. (Paris time), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Tropical Storm Nicholas, with winds of approximately 110 kph, is expected to advance slowly northeast, then eastward Wednesday over Louisiana. It is expected to weaken on Tuesday before turning into a tropical depression by Wednesday.
The NHC forecasts about 130 to 250 mm of rain on the Texas and upper Louisiana coasts. But it can reach 500 mm in central and southern Louisiana.
Risk of flash floods
Earlier it was announced that Nicholas, a tropical storm-turned-hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico with 120 km/h winds, made landfall in Texas at about 7:30 a.m. PST, the NHC warned of heavy rain and the risk of flooding. Surprise. , especially in urban areas as it made its way to Houston, the main city in Texas.
The NHC also issued a warning to most of the coast, believing that“There is a risk of flooding that threatens lives” It asks the residents of the area “Take all necessary measures to protect people’s lives and property”. And videos circulated on social media showed strong winds and heavy rain, which led to the fall of the ceiling of the Citgo gas station.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott urged residents to heed warnings from local authorities and “be vigilant”, in a press release. Houston, still featuring Hurricane Harvey in 2017, alert, has chirp Monday Mayor Sylvester Turner. “We are expecting this heavy rain [lundi] evening and tomorrow [mardi]. I strongly encourage you not to go down the road. “
President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency Monday evening in Louisiana, already hit by Hurricane Ida, Who killed dozens in the United States the end of August.
Several roads closed
In a Houston-area supermarket, residents stormed the shelves on Monday who came to refuel before the storm arrived, especially in milk or eggs. The enterprise had to carry out the largest amount of authorized purchases of water. Gas stations also saw a larger than usual influx of customers.
As of Monday evening, many roads in Matagorda and Lavaca counties, about an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Houston, were closed due to flooding. Schools in the Houston area will be closed on Tuesday, while school activities scheduled for Monday afternoon have been canceled.
Several flights have been canceled at airports around Houston. A spokesperson for the agency responsible for transiting the Houston Canal said the city’s port was closed.
The Harris County Flood Department, to which the city of Houston belongs, also announced Twitter His tanks were empty and therefore ready to store as much rain as possible. Meteorological services have warned that up to 500 mm of rain could already fall on southeast Texas. They also warned of the dangers of sudden and dangerous floods, especially in urban areas.
Nicholas is now a hurricane and could cause power lines to fall. It can be hidden in flood waters. Don’t pay through… https://t.co/MdhKmrdbPC
– ReadyHarris (Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management)
Storm Nicholas is expected to recede from Tuesday, while continuing its path northeast. The Lone Star Country is used for the passage of storms and hurricanes. But as the ocean surface warms, these phenomena are becoming more powerful, according to scientists. In particular, they pose an increased risk to coastal communities, victims of the phenomenon of wave inundation amplified by rising sea levels.
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