A hurricane could hit Texas for the first time since 2008 as Harvey takes aim
ADVERTISEMENTHurricane Harvey is expected to make landfall by Friday, bringing with it powerful winds and torrential rains.
On Thursday, the storm’s winds were around 80 mph but forecasters believe they could reach 115 mph in the next 36 hours.
BREAKING: Tropical Storm Harvey is now expected to become a major hurricane before landfall on Texas coast, NHC says. pic.twitter.com/MDlU8hoB4I
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) August 24, 2017
A storm surge warning is in effect for hundreds of miles of the Texas coastline, from Port Mansfield near South Padre Island to San Luis Pass just south of Galveston.
Beaches and schools in the storm’s path are closing. To combat flooding, the city of Corpus Christi is currently providing residents with sandbags.
The deepest storm surge will hit the coast near the center of the landfall and to the northeast, “where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves,” according to a forecaster.