Tropical Storm Hermine forms; Heading for Central and South Texas

Radar courtesy of Weather Underground

Tropical Storm Hermine formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico and currently has winds of 50 MPH with gusts as high as 65 MPH. The radar is showing that rain from this storm is already coming ashore in south Texas. As the storm moves onshore, the forecast is that South and Central Texas will be hit with heavy rain with a good potential for flooding.

Hermine's Flood Danger, Even Well After Landfall(AccuWeather)

Bands of drenching rain will increase across northeastern Mexico and southern Texas into this afternoon as Hermine approaches. Any heavy bursts of rain could trigger localized flash flooding.

Steadier and heavier rain will pour down across southern Texas and northeastern Mexico tonight into Tuesday as Hermine moves inland. By the end of Tuesday, these areas will be inundated by 4 to 8 inches of rain with localized amounts of up to a foot.

Flooding will quickly ensue in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Small streams and creeks will rise rapidly and overflow their banks. Residents, especially those in flood-prone areas, should spend today planning for possible evacuation orders.

Officials may be forced to close roads that become inundated with flood waters.

Even if barricades are not in place, motorists are reminded never to drive through a road covered in water. The roadway underneath may be washed away or the water's swift current could sweep away your vehicle.

The danger of flooding in southern Texas and northeastern Mexico will persist several days after Hermine departs. Similar to what occurred in the wake of Hurricane Alex, the Rio Grande River will eventually rise as the flood waters drain downstream.

As the river becomes swollen, neighboring land and communities will be at risk for flooding.

The computer models all seem to be quite well aligned converging on landfall just south of Brownsville, TX. Once onshore the storm will curve towards the north spreading heavy rain across central Texas for several days even after it loses Tropical Storm status.

Graphic courtesy of Spaghettimodels.com

A tropical storm warning is in place from Tampico to the mouth of the Rio Grande in Mexico and then From the Rio Grande to Port O'Connor in Texas. A hurricane Watch is in effect from Rio San Fernando, Mexico to Baffin Bay, Texas (source: Weather Underground)

Tropical Storm Hermine gaining strength in Gulf
(KHOU)

MIAMI -- Tropical Storm Hermine is getting a little stronger in the Gulf of Mexico as it heads toward the coasts of Texas and Mexico.

A tropical storm warning was issued early Monday for the southern Texas coast. A tropical storm warning was already in effect for the coast of Mexico from Tampico to the mouth of the Rio Grande.

Hermine’s maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph (75 kph) with some additional strengthening expected before the storm makes landfall.

Heavy rain is predicted with northeastern Mexico into south Texas getting 4 to 8 inches with as much as a foot in some places. It could cause flash floods and mudslides.