Hurricane Ian downgraded to tropical storm as it continues to batter Florida
Hurricane Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm Thursday morning, but officials have warned the powerful storm that brought life-threatening storm surges, floods that left people stranded in their homes and knocked out power to more than 2.5 million was not over.
Will Hurricane Season ever be โnormalโ again?
Last week at the National Tropical Weather Conference, Dr. Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University presented his 2022 Tropical Storm forecast. Accuweather had delivered theirs just a few days before. And while some headlines screamed โMonster seasonโ most went with โbusyโ or โabove normalโ. You might remember that โnormalโ recently increased from 12 storms to 14 and the considered average now is 14 tropical storms of which 7 will become hurricanes and 3 of those will become Major hurricanes of Category 3, 4 or 5. I made a chart of the two forecasts so far:
Tropical storms vs. hurricanes: These are the important differences you should know about
Tropical Storm Nicholas is moving in to southeast Texas, which has many KPRC 2 viewers asking whatโs 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 weโd break it down for you with information from our KPRC 2 meteorologists in our Hurricane and Flood Survival Guide.
These live beach cameras show what it looks like as Tropical Storm Nicholas approaches the Texas coast
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 stateโs coastal regions.
Galveston property owners eligible for temporary tax relief: Hereโs how to apply
GALVESTON, Texas โ 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.
Why ETA will be so devastating
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 yearโs 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 yearโs ZETA formed Dec. 28 and degenerated Jan.
Ask 2: Why such an increase in Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico storms?
HOUSTON โ At KPRC 2, weโre 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 2โฒs Frank Billingsley -- โThe water temps over the Gulf and the Caribbean are the warmest this year on the planet and the lack of El Niรฑo has meant less shear, or upper level wind, to tear storms apart.
Bye, Bye Beta
HOUSTON โ 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 12โฒ'! 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.
Powerful photos: Hurricane Laura leaves behind disaster, devastation after landfall in Louisiana
(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)
Severe weather social media: This is who weโre following for the best, up-to-the-minute info on TS Beta
HOUSTON โ 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.