Texas towns under water, river basins flood as Tropical Storm Alberto moves in

Several towns are under water, experiencing 3 to 4-foot storm surges after the first tropical storm of the season moved in Tuesday night and a torrential downpour began Wednesday.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Houston Galveston area through Wednesday.

It said the “Potential Tropical Cyclone One is now Tropical Storm Alberto! Extensive coastal flooding has been reported at area beaches, coastlines. No changes to coastal flood and tropical storm warnings. Flash flood threat from rainfall continues to diminish with rain rates modest and manageable so far.”

On Wednesday morning, it said, “moderate coastal flooding from Tropical Storm Alberto is occurring along much of the Texas coast today and continuing through tomorrow.” The peak storm surge forecast is expected to hit Galveston with at least a 2.4-footNational Weather Service issued a flood watch warning effective Tuesday through Wednesday for the Houston-Galveston region. It also issued a severe thunderstorm warning in an area north of Matagorda Bay. The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center also issued a tornado warning on Wednesday for the Coastal Bend region from Port Mansfield, along the coast stretching to Corpus Christi, Port Lavaca and Freeport.

This is after the Galveston Bay area has already suffered devastation from heavy rainfall that has killed its entire oyster population, The Center Square reported.

As of Wednesday morning, Tropical Storm Alberto had made its way from the Gulf of Mexico northeast to hit Texas’ coast bringing with it so far a 3 to 4-foot storm surge. In Surfside Beach, water rose under homes on stilts.

Posting a video of the flooding, AccuWeather reported, “Heavy coastal rain and flooding are expected to occur across northeastern Mexico, southern and eastern Texas and Louisiana through Thursday.”

It also reported that the storm is expected to bring at least a foot of rain to the Texas coast.

Storm Chaser Houston also posted video of coastal flooding in Matagorda, with the water rising underneath homes on stilts.

Local residents also posted video and pictures on social media of flooding in Galveston Bay, the historic Strand in downtown Galveston, areas in the west end of Galveston Island, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and Bolivar Peninsula. In Houston, a torrential downpour continued as KHOU 11 News and the Texas Department of Transportation publicized notices about flooded exits along I-10.

The National Weather Service West Gulf River Forecast Center explained that Tropical Storm Alberto would cause more river flooding across coastal river basins. It’s currently forecasting flooding along several streams within the Nueces River Basin.

Gov. Greg Abbott increased the readiness level of the Texas State Emergency Operations Center to Level II (Escalated Response Conditions) on Tuesday ahead of the expected storm surge.

“As we prepare for severe tropical weather, Texas is activating all personnel and resources needed to support Texans and communities that will be potentially impacted by excessive rain and flooding,” he said. He also encouraged “Texans in at-risk areas are urged to remain vigilant, monitor weather conditions, and take necessary precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”