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A report filed with federal regulators reveals the offshore pipeline that spilled tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil off the Southern California coast in October did not have a fully functioning leak detection system.

Israel has launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip for a second time since a shaky cease-fire ended last month’s 11-day war.

The cover picture above isn’t a throwback to Imelda or Harvey or Beta, nor is it a pic of the Memorial Day floods or Tax Day floods. TxDOT is quick to remind us: Flash floods are the leading cause of weather-related deaths in Texas, and about 60% of flood-related deaths in our state involve motor vehicles. But the National Weather Service can at least look at parameters regarding river flooding and soil moisture to determine what we are up against for major, widespread floods. Put simply, we’re at a pretty equal chance for river flooding either way. You can read the full 2021 Spring Flood Outlook report at the top of the NWS home page.

We go through dry periods and, as you know, we can get soakers around here that fix a no-rain situation pretty quickly. Last Thursday’s drought monitor shows abnormally dry to severe drought conditions in SE Texas and Extreme drought in West Texas:US Drought monitor showing abnormally dry to severe drought in our areaU.S. Drought monitor showing extreme and exceptional drought in West Texas. Our normal rainfall from Oct. 1 to now is 8.33 inches so clearly, that’s a deficit. But prolonged dry periods can turn into longer dry periods and that is the concern. Here’s our precip forecast into winter:Dry OutlookThis shows better chances than not for below normal rainfall.

GALVESTON, Texas – City of Galveston property owners who sustained property damage during Tropical Storm Beta may be eligible for temporary tax relief, Galveston authorities announced Thursday. Property owners are encouraged to complete an exemption application which is available online and submit it to the Galveston County Appraisal District. The Texas Tax Code provides for a temporary exemption for property owners who are victims of natural disasters. The City of Galveston adopted its tax rate four days prior to the disaster proclamation on September 17, 2020. Homeowners must apply for the temporary tax relief and must submit the application to the Galveston Central Appraisal District.

BROOKSIDE VILLAGE, Texas – Sheryl Karolinski was out of town when Tropical Storm Beta struck her Brookside Village home and pushed an estimated three inches of water inside. City hall has served as the hub to push out supplies. With no assistance from the county, state, or federal level the people in Brookside largely have had to help themselves. In Brookside Village, they don’t want to lose anymore. “I believe there’s $295 million for the project to start widening the creek that goes through the city,” said Greg Thomas, a city councilperson.

HOUSTON – Tropical Storm Beta dumped more than a foot of rain on some places in the Houston area during the nearly three days it was in the vicinity. The southern part of Houston and Harris County was one of the hardest-hit areas by the floodwaters, where more than a foot of rain fell on some communities. The amounts varied widely across the county. For example, Hobby Airport on the southeast side received 11.76 inches of rain, while George Bush Intercontinental Airport got 5.48 inches of rain. Here’s a look at the 10 highest rainfall amounts reported by the National Weather Service during Beta.

HOUSTON – The remnants of Beta are moving away from the Houston region, allowing for the waterlogged area to slowly dry out. Sky 2 is flying over the area to get a bird’s-eye view of any damage that was caused by the nearly 12 inches of rain that fell in parts of the area. You can see what the Houston looked like Wednesday in the video player attached to the top of this story.

HOUSTON – Highway 288 has reopened Wednesday morning after being flooded. Officials said the northbound and southbound lanes are now open after being closed due to flooding from Beta conditions. Several cars were stranded after high water took over the highway. The highway’s closure was one of the major closures Tuesday.

HOUSTON – Rain is the only thing left of Beta and it is moving through the Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. This batch of rain will continue to push into the mid-Atlantic states Friday before moving off shore this weekend. Here is a look at what Beta left behind in Southeast Texas:Heavy Rain with Storm Totals over 12′'! Beta has dropped over a foot of rain in some locations in southern Metro Houston. The heaviest rain fell from Ellington Field and Pearland to west Houston.

HOUSTON – Tropical Storm Beta drenched Houston Monday night and all day Tuesday, leaving several parts of the city underwater. The since downgraded Tropical Depression Beta continues to threaten the Houston-area with more rain Tuesday night. KPRC 2 reporters were stationed all around the city and collected stories from the worst-affected parts of town. Here’s what they saw:A closer look at the flooding in the Pearland areaTS Beta causes flooding in Pearland areaFlooded roads reported in north and northwest Harris County due to heavy rainBeta causes flooding in the Greenspoint areaHighway 288 and Houston’s SouthsideHouston activist and rapper, Trae Tha Truth, goes door-to-door to helpSeveral high-water rescues conducted in the Houston area due to flash floodingBuffalo Bayou flows over its banks due to rise in water levelsFlood water creeps into Friendswood-area homes

HOUSTON – Houston officials say more than 100,000 gallons of domestic wastewater have been spilled in five locations in Houston as of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday due to the “intense, sustained, rainfall of greater than 10 inches in the last 24 hours,” during Tropical Storm Beta. LIVE BLOG: Read the latest updates from the developing Tropical Depression Beta hereOfficials with Houston Public Works and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are monitoring the situation. At present, officials say if you receive your water from the city of Houston, you do not need to boil your drinking water. Here’s a map of where the spills occurred:The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires the city to provide residents with the following information in event of a wastewater spill:

HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo held a news conference Monday afternoon to urge residents to prepare for Tropical Storm Beta. Hidalgo was joined by other Harris County officials including meteorologist and Director of Flood Operations, Jeff Lindner. “At any moment, anywhere in Harris County, we could see heavy rain and possibly flooding," Hidalgo said. The Harris County Emergency Operation Center is activated to a level three, which is increased readiness. High-water traffic maps, maps of bayou levels and rainfall amounts are available at ReadyHarris.org, among many other sources, Hidalgo said.

HOUSTON – As Tropical Storm Beta neared the Texas coast Monday, the biggest unknown was how much rainfall it could produce in areas that have already seen their share of damaging weather during a busy hurricane season. Rain from Beta was already coming down Monday in the Houston area. Earlier predictions of up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) in some areas were downgraded Monday to up to 15 inches (38 centimeters). Forecasters and officials reassured residents Beta was not expected to be another Hurricane Harvey or Tropical Storm Imelda. Harvey in 2017 dumped more than 50 inches (127 centimeters) of rain on Houston, causing $125 billion in damage in Texas.

You can follow our coverage of the storm in the blog below:Wednesday, Sept. 2311:42 a.m. -- Conditions clearing up for some of those who were waterloggedConditions are clearing up for some of those who were waterlogged. 5:12 a.m. -- Flash Flood Warning in effect for Houston areas, including PearlandA Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Houston areas, including Pearland. 12:27 p.m. — Flash Flood Warning in place until 2:15 a.m. for Colorado, Jackson and Wharton countiesWeather Alert: Flash Flood Warning for Colorado, Jackson, and Wharton County until 2:15am Tuesday. Tropical Storm #Beta has made landfall in Texas - the 9th named storm to make landfall in the continental US this year. Seabrook, Kemah and Shore Acres areasSeabrook is under a storm surge warning and a tropical storm warning.

Forecasters said Beta was not expected to bring the same amount of rainfall that Texas experienced during either Hurricane Harvey in 2017 or Tropical Storm Imelda last year. The first rain bands from Beta reached the Texas coast on Sunday, but the heaviest rain wasn't expected to arrive until Monday into Tuesday. If the system makes landfall in Texas, it would be the ninth named storm to make landfall in the continental U.S. in 2020. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Bermuda. Wilfred, which had been a tropical storm, weakened to a tropical depression earlier Sunday.

This dry air is being drawn into Beta’s circulation, causing the storm to be very off-balance, or lopsided. The orange coloring to the left (west) shows dry air. Dry air is stable. Dry air intrusion will keep Beta from strengthening. Wind shear will continue to be somewhat of a problem for Beta as it works its way toward the Texas coast.

Location 60 miles NNE of Birmingham Alabama Wind 10 mph Heading NE at 10 mph Pressure 29.83 Coordinates 86.3W, 34.3NDiscussionAt 400 AM CDT (0900 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Beta was located near latitude 34.3 North, longitude 86.3 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the northeast near 10 mph (17 km/h) until it becomes indistinguishable within the background wind and pressure field by mid-afternoon Friday. Maximum sustained winds are near 10 mph (20 km/h) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1010 mb (29.83 inches). Tropics Satellite at 3:39 Friday Night, September 25thWatches and WarningsThere are no watches or warnings in effect.

HOUSTON – As the Houston-area and the Gulf Coast is bracing for severe storms, it is very important to keep connected with accurate local, state, and national social media accounts. The following list below contains social media accounts from local and national connections and sometimes websites with all the latest information if applicable. KPRC 2 meteorologists and our traffic expertKPRC 2 meteorologists are staying on top of Tropical Storm Beta with all the latest information as it comes in. Frank BillingsleyBritta MerwinJustin StapletonKhambrel MarshallEric BraateAnavid Reyes - KPRC 2 Traffic ExpertFederal social mediaBoth the NWS and the National Hurricane Center are issuing advisories on both Laura and Marco. NWS Houston/GalvestonNational Hurricane CenterHouston-area meteorologistsThe following local meteorologists are also providing the latest info on Laura and Marco in the local sector.