Floods and tornadoes: Tropical storm Beta approaches the USA

More than 10 million people are in the storm warning area as Tropical Storm Beta approaches land. Writes about it CNN.

Photo: Shutterstock

The outer boundaries of Tropical Storm Beta will affect the Texas coast.

Official landfalls are expected very late Monday, September 21, or early Tuesday, September 22, but Texans must prepare for tropical storm weather from late Sunday through early Monday.

Stormy weather is already being felt in areas of the southwest coast of Louisiana.

Storm surge warning also applies from Port Aransas, TX to the Rockefeller Wildlife Sanctuary in Louisiana, where storm surges of 2 to 4 feet (0,6-1,2 m) are possible.

“Persons in these areas should take all necessary measures to protect life and property from rising waters and the possibility of other hazardous conditions,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

Here is a video of the end of the 61st Pier breaking off and floating away shortly after 10pm tonight.

Conditions will only continue to decline through the night. #HOUwx #GLSwx #Beta #txwx
(webcam from @SaltwaterRecon) pic.twitter.com/x2cUUkssxj

- NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) September 21, 2020

Flooding can happen without warning

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards urged residents to prepare for the storm.

“Prepare for heavy rainfall and the threat of storm surge and flooding in parts of the state from Tropical Storm Beta,” Edwards said.

The Texas Operations Center triggered a Level II threat declaration and enhanced response conditions. Governor Greg Abbott urged residents to listen to local government advice.

Screenshot: NHC

Texas officials warn that rains, flash floods and occasional tornadoes can happen with little or no warning.

“We will continue to closely monitor the storm and work with officials to keep Texans safe,” Abbott said.

A total of 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm) of rain is forecast, with occasional rainfall up to 20 inches (50 cm) from the mid-Texas coast to southern Louisiana until Thursday, September 24.

In Galveston, Texas, authorities said severe flooding could occur on Monday, September 21, during high tide morning.

Riding through #BETA pic.twitter.com/1FoibgNyiR

- Robert Phillips (@bamajackhole) September 20, 2020

Voluntary evacuation has been announced for several parts of the county, including residents west of the Galveston Waterfront and Jamaica Beach.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the city will be "very closely" watching the storm, and what happens on Monday will determine what officials will recommend to residents.

On the subject: Record season: US meteorologists are short of names for 2020 hurricanes

“Whether or not we ask people to stay home, whether testing centers close, will depend on what we see,” Turner said.

Beta travels at a dangerously slow 6 miles (9,6 km) per hour northwest.

The storm has sustained winds at 60 mph (96,5 km per hour), approximately 120 miles (193 km) southeast of Galveston.

But at such a slow pace, the storm is still dangerous.

By comparison, the average person walks at 3-4 mph. Hurricane Sally made landfall at 3 mph. Florence came ashore at 6 mph and Harvey at 7, but both storms slowed very quickly after landfall and caused massive flooding.

Screenshot: NHC

Beta is battling strong wind shear and dry air in the Gulf of Mexico, which is holding back the storm's intensification.

Having a "high wind shear" environment prevents the storm from intensifying. The “low shear” atmospheric environment is favorable for further development and strengthening.

The shift also makes the storm very asymmetric, with most of the rain and strongest winds occurring north and northeast of center.

Flooding in Freeport, TX from TS #Beta pic.twitter.com/SYxvGiCrnP

- Mark Sudduth (@hurricanetrack) September 20, 2020

Historic Atlantic hurricane season

Beta is named after the second letter of the Greek alphabet.

NHC ran out of names for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season and only started using the Greek alphabet for the second time in human history.

Another time was in 2005, when the season brought so many storms that it ran out of 21 titles.

Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. With two months left, 2020 could easily surpass the record set in 2005.

There have been nearly double the average number of storms this season, with 23 storms named so far. The average hurricane season is 12.

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