SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020 AS OF 1:00 PM EDT
Hanna made landfall over Padre Island, Texas at 05:00 PM CDT on Saturday, July 25, 2020 as a Category 1 hurricane. Since making landfall, Hanna downgraded to a Tropical Storm and is expected to bring heavy rain across areas of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, with a risk of flash flooding and isolated minor to moderate river flooding. Water levels across the coast are expected to gradually subside through Sunday morning, although areas throughout southern Texas can expect another five to 10 inches of rain, with a chance of 18 inches in isolated areas. According to PowerOutage.US, 268,000 homes are without power due to damages sustained throughout the storm. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported tropical storm-force winds could cause more power outages and damage to trees and buildings.
In a news conference on Saturday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said any hurricane would pose a serious challenge, but “this challenge is complicated and made even more severe, seeing that it is sweeping through an area that is the most challenged area in the state for COVID-19.”. Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 32 counties across the state and issued a federal emergency disaster declaration request. Hidalgo County officials said that local hospitals had been filled to capacity in the previous week, and a judge ordered residents to shelter at home after increases in both hospitalizations and COVID-19 cases.
Satellite photo of Tropical Storm Hanna: Source
Meanwhile, Hurricane Douglas maintains its intensity as it moves closer to the Hawaiian islands. The Category 1 hurricane is currently 240 miles east of Kahului, Hawaii, and 285 miles east of Honolulu, Hawaii; moving northwest at 16 mph. According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, Douglas “will pass dangerously close to the main Hawaiian Islands later today.” The proximity of the storm to the right could lead to a “triple threat of hazards,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) National Hurricane Center (NHC), including damaging winds, flooding rainfall, and dangerously high surf. There is also a risk of flash flooding and landslides as a result of the heavy rains that were forecast.
FEMA Guidance on Tornados: FEMA
As Hanna moves across southern Texas there is an increased chance of brief, spin-up tornadoes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages individuals to take the necessary precautions and prepare for tornadoes. Tornadoes can appear suddenly, destroy buildings, flip cars, and create deadly flying debris. FEMA suggests individuals under Tornado Warnings seek shelter right away. The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates.
PUBLIC ADVISORIES
Here’s the breakdown of public advisories from NOAA’s NHC:
TROPICAL STORM WARNING:
RELATED STORIES
- Remember, Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for a storm and how to keep you and your family safe.
- Understanding the meaning of hurricane maps – a NY Times Opinion Piece: Those Hurricane Maps Don’t Mean What You Think They Mean
Keep track of Hagerty’s coverage here:
HURRICANE SEASON 2020
