While Potential Tropical Cyclone One has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, and could be on its way to becoming the first named tropical system of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, the threat for Houston is decreasing.
The city will still see rain through Wednesday, but coastal communities face the more immediate threat.
A potential tropical cyclone is a designation used by the National Hurricane Center to indicate a disturbance that is not yet a tropical storm but has the potential to bring that kind of weather to the U.S. within 48 hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch has now been issued for parts of the coast of Texas and northeastern Mexico.
The flood watch that was issued for Harris, Waller, Austin, Washington and Liberty Counties has been cancelled.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has increased the readiness of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources to Level II.
“Texas stands ready to deploy all resources and assistance needed to help support communities in Southeast Texas that are in the path of a potentially devastating tropical storm,” said Governor Abbott. “I urge Texans to remain weather aware and heed the guidance of local officials to keep themselves and their families safe. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
Houston Mayor Whitmire and several leaders held a news conference to discuss this year's hurricane season, but also the potential flooding rains heading to Houston.
In addition to the usual tips for safety and preparedness, interim HPD Chief Larry Satterwhite announced that they now have over 20 high water rescue trucks, and over 30 boats.
Meanwhile, Mayor Whitmire said that almost worse than a storm, is the city's outdated drainage system.
"Many times it's not a storm, but even a 2 inch cloud burst can do some localized flooding" Whitmire said.