Houston
Hurricane Hanna made landfall in coronavirus-hit Texas on Saturday bringing with it heavy rain, wind and potentially life-threatening flash flooding.
The Category 1 storm was packing winds of around 90 miles (145 kilometers) per hour as it came ashore at Padre Island at 5pm (2200 GMT), the US National Hurricane Center said.
“Hanna is expected to produce heavy rains across portions of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. These rains will result in life-threatening flash flooding,” and some river flooding, the meteorologists said.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or widespread damage as the winds slowed to 80 mph once the storm headed inland — with further weakening expected overnight.
But meteorologists warned a “life-threatening storm surge” could reach six feet (1.8 meters) in some areas, while the hurricane was forecast to drop up to 18 inches (45 centimeters) of rain through Monday on south Texas and Mexico.
“My Administration is closely monitoring Hurricane Douglas off Hawaii & Hurricane Hanna, which has now made landfall in Texas,” President Donald Trump tweeted.
“We continue to coordinate closely with both states — listen to your emergency management officials … to protect your family & property!” Damage appeared to be limited in the immediate aftermath of Hanna´s landfall, with some isolated flooding and power outages.
Images captured by CBS showed roads and a caravan park in Corpus Christi strewn with debris and downed trees, and several buildings apparently destroyed.
Some motorists even braved flooded roads, while one hardy storm-watcher was seen calmly taking pictures of the beach from a wind-swept promenade.—AFP
