TD #2 LANDFALLING IN VALLEY )9:30 a.m. UPDATE, JULY 8, 2010)
Tropical Depression # 2 is moving onshore near South Padre Island this morning, ahead of schedule and without much strengthening as was forecast by the National Hurricane Prediction Center. Forecasters say because of the disorganized nature of the system, the exact center of the depression is difficult to detect at this hour. But the National Weather Service reports they believe the eye of the depression is still located about 40 miles offshore. The poorly organized system is packing winds of only about 30-35 miles per hour and as of 8:30 Thursday morning those winds were yet to be felt on the Texas coast. In spite of the lack of powerful winds, forecasters say TD 2 will still bring heavy rains to the Rio Grande Valley and all attention now must be focused on the potential for serious flooding along streams, rivers and especially low lying areas subject to flooding. Soil across the RGV remains saturated from recent rains associated with Hurricane Alex and additional rainfall is expected to cause flash flooding and to swell flood waters in the Rio Grande River. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for South Texas and a Flash Flood Warning will extend well into Friday.

TROPICAL STORM OR NOT? (UPDATED 2 a.m., THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2010)

By LOGAN HAWKES
Port Isabel-South Padre PRESS

With heavy rains and gusty winds of Hurricane Alex still fresh on our minds, a new and quick developing tropical depression has formed about 260 miles off the coast of Brownsville and appears headed on a collision course with southern Cameron County and expected to make landfall Thursday evening as a weak Tropical Storm Bonnie – at least that’s was the forecast at PRESS time Thursday.  

Forecasters say the greatest danger associated with this system are heavy rains which began early Thursday and are expected to continue Friday. Gusty, tropical storm force winds are also expected by late Thursday afternoon.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Baffin Bay south to the Rio Grande Valley including Eastern Cameron County. The latest NOAA storm track has TS Bonnie making landfall on the Texas-Mexico border - just about the mouth of the Rio Grande – sometime early Thursday evening. Locally heavy rains of 4-8 inches across the area with isolated downpours of up to 10 inches are expected as this storm passes over a rain-saturated Valley. Residents along the coast and near rivers and streams and in low lying areas should take immediate action in anticipation of heavy rains and possible flooding through Thursday night and into Friday.

Tropical Depression Two was packing mild winds of about 35 miles per hour as of 6 a.m. Thursday, but is expected to gain rapid strength in the hours ahead. The system is moving north-northwest at 14 miles per hour and is expected to pick up speed before landfall.  

Forecasters say the fast moving system should prevent the storm from reaching hurricane status before landfall. Of primary concern are swollen rivers and streams, including the Rio Grande River, which is near flood stage already near San Benito because of torrential rains and runoffs associated with Hurricane Alex. A Flash Flood Watch has been reissued for much of the Valley and surrounding areas.

Coastal residents are urged to monitor the latest developments with the storm. Portisabelsouthpadre.com will provide the latest important updates as this system moves on shore Thursday.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CAN SAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY ON THE COAST!
Living on the Texas coast has its many benefits, including enjoying the pristine environment we love and respect so greatly. But the threat of tropical weather systems each summer season is a reminder that we need to constantly have our house in order. Being prepared for a major disaster is the first step in surviving a disaster. As a public service, the Port Isabel-South Padre PRESS has prepared a series of audio guides to help you understand the dangers of tropical weather and ways you can help prepare for what some call the inevitable. Explore the audio links below and get ready for the 2008 hurricane season. And stay up to date with the latest tropical storm information on this Web site.

INTRO: History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. LISTEN TO THE INTRO AUDIO
THE STORM SURGE: Storm surge is simply water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can increase the mean water level 15 feet or more.
DEADLY WINDS: The intensity of a landfalling hurricane is expressed in terms of categories that relate wind speeds and potential damage. According to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, a Category 1 hurricane has lighter winds compared to storms in higher categories. A Category 4 hurricane would have winds between 131 and 155 mph and, on the average, would usually be expected to cause 100 times the damage of the Category 1 storm. Depending on circumstances, less intense storms may still be strong enough to produce damage, particularly in areas that have not prepared in advance.
FLOODING: When it comes to hurricanes, wind speeds do not tell the whole story. Hurricanes produce storm surges, tornadoes, and often the most deadly of all - inland flooding.  While storm surge is always a potential threat, more people have died from inland flooding from 1970 up to 2000. Intense rainfall is not directly related to the wind speed of tropical cyclones. In fact, some of the greatest rainfall amounts occur from weaker storms that drift slowly or stall over an area.  LISTEN TO THE AUDIO
TORNADOES: Hurricanes can also produce tornadoes that add to the storm's destructive power. Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the right-front quadrant of the hurricane. However, they are also often found elsewhere embedded in the rainbands, well away from the center of the hurricane.
Some hurricanes seem to produce no tornadoes, while others develop multiple ones.  LISTEN TO THE AUDIO
DISASTER PLAN: You need one - every family does. And they are not that hard to make.   LISTEN TO THE AUDIO
DIASTER/STORM PLAN