Tropical Storm Nicholas is expected to make landfall on the Texas shoreline near Houston with high winds, isolated tornadoes and a rising risk of flooding due to rainfalls that could approach 20 inches, NPR reports.
The storm will hit from Texas to Mississippi, and it could reach hurricane force prior to hitting landfall. Democratic Louisiana John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency for his state, while Republican governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Tate Reeves of Mississippi continue to not impede people’s freedoms as the storm approaches.
The storm will create flooding in urban areas as the storm dumps 8 to 16 inches of rain over the next few days, with some areas getting 20 inches. Nicholas is a non-symmetrical storm that will bring waves of rain over the areas impacted, with the eye traveling along the coast before rain hits inland.
While Texas county leaders have cautioned residents to listen to authorities relating to storm updates and evacuation notices, the Republican leadership of Texas has been largely silent. Abbott has raised the readiness level of the state emergency operations center, but has issued no warnings to residents. Texas Senator Ted Cruz (Q-Quintana Roo) has not yet announced where his daughters have forced him to vacation if the power goes out.