GALVESTON, Texas – As Tropical Storm Francine inches closer to Louisiana, expecting to make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, areas along SE Texas coasts are not taking any chances and preparing for the worst.
SEE ALSO: FEMA urges people in path of Tropical Storm Francine to prepare now
As of Tuesday morning, a Tropical Storm Alert had been issued for coastal cities, including Galveston Bay.
Galveston County Judge Mark Henry says Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula are two areas of major concern because of the storm track.
Experts with the National Weather Service say Francine’s cone of uncertainty is very wide, meaning SE Texas could still see some impact including strong winds and storm surges. The storm surge is expected to peak between one and three feet Wednesday morning, creating some coastal flooding that can impact roadways.
RELATED: Construction on Fort Bend County roads is ‘definitely a worry’ if we need to evacuate for hurricane
Another concern for residents along the coast is keeping the lights on.
During Hurricane Beryl, more than two million CenterPoint Energy customers in SE Texas were without power for days. Three electric companies service electricity for Galveston County: CenterPoint Energy, Entergy, and Texas/New Mexico Power. In the case areas lose power and is a threat to personal property, Judge Henry says they will deploy law enforcement officials.
“We expect that for Bolivar especially, there might be water coming over the top of [highway] 87. So if that’s going to be inconvenient or certainly life threatening for you, you might want to relocate for a day or two. We’ll get you back as quick as we can,” Judge Henry said in a news conference. “At this point, we only activate some road bridge crews to be out there to able to clear the road as quickly as possible.”
As Galveston County braces for Francine, here are other reminders to stay prepared:
- Stay informed: Keep up to date with the National Weather Service and the latest information with your county’s officials.
- Gather your essentials: Includes bottled water, non-perishable food items, medical kits, batteries, and portable chargers for your devices.
- Have an evacuation plan: If you need to leave your home, make sure to have a plan in place to let your family know and what to do if you get separated. Know what roads are closed in your area.
- Prepare your home: Board up the windows, use sandbags, and secure any outdoor items.
- Pets: Keep carriers on hand, identification records like a microchip or collar with your contact information, and have enough food and water.
For more information on hurricane readiness, check out the KPRC 2′s 2024 Hurricane & Flood Survival Guide.