Tornado watch issued in Crossroads

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Tornado watch issued in Crossroads

Advocate Staff
Jun 19, 2024
Jun 19, 2024

A tornado watch has been issued in the Crossroads through Thursday morning.

The tornado watch is in place until 7 a.m. along with a flood watch, which is in effect until 1 p.m.

A flood advisory is also in place.

"Brief tropical tornadoes are occurring and will continue to be possible through the night," according to the National Weather Service.

Earlier Wednesday

A weather system expected to bring significant rainfall to the Crossroads was named Tropical Storm Alberto Wednesday morning.

The tropical storm鈥檚 rainfall had shifted southwest of the Crossroads, but the storm was still in its early stages, Tyler Castillo, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said.

A flood watch is in effect through Thursday.

What we just heard is it shifted south,鈥� Ashley Strevel, 足交视频 spokeswoman, said Wednesday.

Nevertheless, Strevel urged residents to remain vigilant as the Crossroads continues through hurricane season, which began on June 1.

Through Friday evening, Alberto is expected to bring about 2 inches of rainfall in the Crossroads although some areas could receive more.

Tropical Storm Alberto was expected to make landfall along the eastern coast of Mexico some time Thursday morning.

The tropical storm鈥檚 slow speed of about 9 mph means its precipitation lingers longer, increasing the amount of rainfall in affected areas, Castillo said.

Wednesday, meteorologists also were monitoring another weather system north of the Bahamas, which had an about 20% chance of forming a tropical cyclone.

The system, Castilo said, was still too far out to predict when it might impact the Crossroads.

South Texas Impacts

Winds: Wind gusts over 50 mph possible along the coast. Winds up to 50 knots possible over the Gulf waters

Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.

Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.

A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.

Scattered power and communications outages.

Storm Surge/Coastal Flooding: Significant coastal flooding will continue through Friday along the Middle Texas coast. A few locations from Nueces Bay up to Port Lavaca have already seen 3 feet of inundation. Inundation around 3 feet is possible across the immediate coast as well as in the bays between Baffin Bay and Matagorda Bay during our next high tide cycle. There is also a High Risk of Rip Currents in effect through Friday.

Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.

Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road.

Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.

Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Rainfall: Heavy rain continues across the region this afternoon. We have had various reports of 2-7 inches across the Coastal Bend. It鈥檚 appears the KCRP radar is underestimating precipitation by a factor of 2. Additional rainfall accumulations of 4-8鈥� across the Coastal Bend with localized higher amounts are possible. Further west and up towards the 足交视频 Crossroads, rainfall amounts will generally range from 3-6鈥� with locally higher amounts possible. Several river flood warnings are already in effect. Additional river flood warnings are possible as we head through the next couple of days. For more information on our rivers, click here.

Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.

Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.

Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Tornadoes: A few tornadoes will be possible through Thursday morning

The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events.

Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.

Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

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