Liberty County residents are being encouraged to use the remaining hours before the arrival of Potential Tropical Cyclone Five to prepare their homes and families for heavy rainfall, possible flooding and potentially hazardous travel conditions.
The Liberty County Office of Emergency Management said Monday, Aug. 31, that it is monitoring the tropical system, which is expected to begin affecting the area Tuesday morning.
“Current forecasts indicate the potential for 2-4 inches of rainfall, which may cause localized flooding, and hazardous road conditions,” said Antwyne “A.J.” Johnson, director of the Liberty County OEM.
The National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories Monday morning on Potential Tropical Cyclone Five, which was located over the northern Gulf. As of 10 a.m. Monday, the system had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and was moving west-northwest at 5 mph.
Forecasters expect the system to strengthen and become a tropical storm before reaching the northwestern Gulf Coast Tuesday. A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued along the coast from Port Bolivar, Texas, to the Vermilion-Cameron Parish line in Louisiana.
The National Hurricane Center said the system could produce 3 to 6 inches of rain across portions of the Upper Texas Coast into east-central Texas, with isolated totals as high as 9 inches. Heavy rainfall could produce flash flooding, particularly in low-lying and urban areas.
Liberty County is under a Flood Watch from 1 a.m. Tuesday through 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Prepare now before conditions deteriorate
With the worst of the weather expected to arrive Tuesday, Sept. 1, residents should use Monday afternoon and evening to make preparations while conditions remain favorable.
Outdoor items that could blow away or become hazards should be brought inside or secured. That includes patio furniture, trash cans, grills, potted plants, sun umbrellas, children’s toys, outdoor decorations and pool equipment. Residents also should look around their property for other loose objects that could be picked up by strong winds.
Households should make sure they have enough food, drinking water and essential supplies to get through a period of severe weather without having to venture onto flooded or hazardous roads. Flashlights, extra batteries, first-aid supplies, necessary medications, toiletries, baby supplies and pet food should be gathered and placed where they can be easily reached.
Now also is a good time to locate important documents and keep them together in a safe, waterproof location. Residents may want to keep some cash available in case power outages temporarily affect ATMs, credit card machines or other electronic payment systems.
Phones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices should be fully charged before the storm arrives. Portable power banks and backup batteries also should be charged. It is also a good time to check the operation of generators.
Motorists should consider filling their vehicles with fuel before conditions deteriorate, particularly since heavy rainfall and localized flooding could make travel difficult Tuesday. If road conditions deteriorate Tuesday, residents should avoid unnecessary travel whenever possible. Emergency services personnel will have enough to contend with responding to weather-related calls, flooded roadways, downed trees and other hazards without having to rescue motorists who venture onto roads when conditions are unsafe.
Liberty County Emergency Management is urging residents to remain weather-aware, monitor county communications and use caution when traveling.
Most importantly, motorists should never attempt to drive through a flooded roadway. Water can be deeper and faster-moving than it appears, and flooding can conceal damaged or washed-out pavement.
Emergency management officials said additional updates will be provided as conditions change.