TROPICAL STORM

Here are things to know for Tuesday, September 14:

Tropical Storm Nicholas is moving in to southeast Texas, which has many KPRC 2 viewers asking what’s the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane. The KPRC 2 News desk has received this question more than any other on Monday, so we thought we’d break it down for you with information from our KPRC 2 meteorologists in our <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/topic/Hurricane_Survival_Guide/" target="_blank">Hurricane and Flood Survival Guide</a>.

Spring, Texas – The Spring Independent School District just announced that all schools and SISD offices will be closed on Tuesday, September 14 due to “hazardous weather related to Tropical Storm Nicholas.”In addition to the cancellation of classes Thursday, all after-school activities on Monday, September 13 have been cancelled. SISD is the first District in the area to cancel classes Thursday due to the incoming Tropical Storm.

Tropical Storm Nicholas is expected to strengthen as it approaches the Texas coast, threatening to bring heavy rain and floods. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for many of the state’s coastal regions.

Spring, Texas – Tropical Storm Nicholas has formed in the Bay of Campeche this morning and the National Hurricane Center has initiated advisories. As for intensity, Nicholas is currently a Tropical Storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. These surge numbers could increase should Nicholas’ wind field expand rapidly, or if Nicholas intensifies faster than currently forecast. Lastly, let’s discuss the wind potential with Tropical Storm Nicholas. Overall, most of the wind impacts will be confined to the immediate coast and near the center of Tropical Storm Nicholas.

Dozens of North Carolinians are missing after flooding caused by Tropical Storm Fred caused havoc, dumping nearly a foot of rain on the Tarheel State, officials say.

One death has been reported so far after a Las Vegas man's car hydroplaned near Panama City, Florida and overturned into a water-filled ditch.

One death has been reported so far after a Las Vegas man's car hydroplaned near Panama City, Florida and overturned into a water-filled ditch.

Relief efforts in Haiti are being greatly hampered by the torrential rains of Tropical Storm Grace. And many people are sleeping outside because of a fear of aftershocks.

Some areas could see up to 10 inches of rain, forecasters say.

The National Hurricane Center says the former tropical storm may strengthen and could cause streams to flood and rivers to rise in southern Florida.

The National Hurricane Center says the former tropical storm may strengthen and could cause streams to floor and rivers to rise in southern Florida.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Tropical Storm Fred weakened to a tropical depression as it neared Haiti on Wednesday evening, as much of South Florida moved just outside the cone of possible paths of the storm’s center. Fred’s top wind speed fell from 40 mph to 35 mph, no longer at tropical storm strength, according to the 8 p.m. EDT advisory from the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected ...

Forecasters are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Fred as it moves through the Caribbean Sea.

Severe weather in Delaware and New Jersey early Friday prompted tornado warnings.

Elsa ramped just up to hurricane strength Friday as it battered Barbados. This statement came out from their weather office:

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Hurricane Elsa, which had strengthened Friday afternoon as it continued speeding through the Caribbean, saw its forecast track shift slightly westward in the 5 p.m. EDT advisory, placing most of coastal South Florida — including Surfside, where rescue efforts after the condo collapse are ongoing — outside the National Hurricane Center’s projected potential path. ...

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.

ETA, now a 50-mph tropical storm, continues to move over Nicaragua and Honduras at a slow 7 mph. Eta moving slowly over Central America courtesy NOAAThat slow movement divided into 100 (my rule of thumb for rainfall) equals 14-15 inches. My prayers are with them as Eta takes the next two days to move through that country. However, because 2005 had a couple of unnamed storms, that year’s names did not get to ETA (stopping one short with ZETA). ETA forecasted pathOfficially the season ends Nov. 30, but if 2005 taught us anything it is not to look at the calendar -- that year’s ZETA formed Dec. 28 and degenerated Jan.

HOUSTON – At KPRC 2, we’re dedicated to keeping Houstonians informed. As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: 2020 was predicted and has been an exceptional year for tropical storms. But why such an increase in Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico storms? Answer: From KPRC 2′s Frank Billingsley -- “The water temps over the Gulf and the Caribbean are the warmest this year on the planet and the lack of El Niño has meant less shear, or upper level wind, to tear storms apart.

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.

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)SABINE PASS, TX - AUGUST 27: Flooding caused by Hurricane Laura on August 27, 2020 in Sabine Pass, Texas. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)SABINE PASS, TX - AUGUST 27: Flooding caused by Hurricane Laura on August 27, 2020 in Sabine Pass, Texas. 4 stormKPRC 2 reporter Robert Arnold leans into the wind in Lake Charles, Louisiana, during Hurricane Laura on Aug. 27, 2020. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 26: Members of the Louisiana National Guard prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Laura on August 26, 2020 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)

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.