Tropical Storm Harold has made a forceful entry into the United States, striking Padre Island, Texas, as the first storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. With its strong winds, heavy rain, and potential for tornadoes, Harold has wreaked havoc across southern Texas, triggering flash floods, power outages, and tornado warnings.
Landfall and Impact: Harold touched down on Padre Island, Texas, just before 10 a.m. CT (11 a.m. ET), packing sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts reaching as high as 67 mph. The storm's powerful winds have already caused power outages, affecting approximately 40,000 customers in Texas. As the storm continues to track westward, it has brought with it torrential rain and strong winds that have pounded the region relentlessly.
Warnings and Preparations: Tropical storm warnings stretch from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Port O’Connor, Texas, with tropical storm watches extending from Port O’Connor to Sargent, Texas. Over a million people are under tropical storm warnings in Texas alone. The National Weather Service has also issued tornado warnings in South Texas, further heightening the state's vulnerability.
Rainfall and Winds: Harold's trajectory promises to deliver 3 to 5 inches of rainfall to South Texas on Tuesday and Wednesday, with localized areas possibly experiencing up to 7 inches. Across the border in Mexico, 4 to 6 inches of rain are anticipated. Winds are expected to remain at tropical-storm-force levels, with sustained speeds of 40 to 50 mph and gusts reaching up to 65 mph. Although wind speeds may slightly diminish as the storm moves inland, gusts of 30-40 mph could still cause damage.
Tornadoes and Coastal Conditions: The storm's aggressive nature is underscored by the risk of tornadoes, with the National Weather Service issuing several tornado warnings for South Texas. The southern Texas coast is also grappling with life-threatening surf and rip currents, hazards that are predicted to linger through Tuesday. Coastal regions, including Corpus Christi, are experiencing heightened vulnerability due to the storm's relentless assault.
Franklin's Threat: Meanwhile, in the Caribbean, Tropical Storm Franklin is making its presence felt. With sustained winds of 50 mph, Franklin is poised to unleash heavy rainfall over Hispaniola, raising concerns about flooding and mudslides. Puerto Rico is also expected to be affected by Franklin, with up to 6 inches of rain predicted.
As Tropical Storm Harold continues its path of destruction through southern Texas and parts of Mexico, the region is grappling with flash floods, power outages, and tornado warnings. The storm's arrival coincides with Texas battling one of its driest and hottest summers on record, offering some relief from drought conditions but potentially missing areas suffering from extreme drought. As both Harold and Franklin underline the intensifying Atlantic hurricane season, authorities and residents alike are actively preparing for the impact of these formidable weather events.