Local News

Hurricane Harvey Reaches Land and Is Wreaking Havoc

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Hurricane Harvey slowly made its way to the Texas coast, finally making landfall last night at around 10 p.m. What was expected to be a Category 3 hurricane, quickly became a Category 4, with sustained winds of 130 mph. The winds, in and of themselves, will cause plenty of damage. However, what we’re most worried about with Harvey is its slow nature and the fact that it will stall inland while it continues to churn causing flooding of epic proportions.

As of 8 a.m. this morning, Hurricane Harvey is a Category 1 hurricane, but even as the hurricane weakens, the rain will keep coming – for days. The storm surge itself was expected to reach 6-12′. Add to that 30-40″ of rain, and you have yourself more than just a disaster, but a catastrophe.

The Texas Hill Country isn’t out of the clear of Harvey’s havoc either. According to the National Weather Service, San Antonio is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The area is expected to endure winds of 25-30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph and an estimated rainfall of 6-10 inches.

In addition, Boerne, Blanco, Georgetown, Austin, Seguin, New Braunfels, many of our other Hill Country cities are under a Flash Flood Watch until 7 p.m. Tuesday. Areas north of the Hill Country are expected to see widespread rain with the potential of flash flooding if Harvey’s remnants move northeast.

As for the damage that has already occurred on the coast, Twitter has been inundated with images of fallen trees, destroyed buildings, and fallen street signs. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who have been affected by Harvey and the first responders who have stayed behind to help where help is needed.