Texas prepares as tropical disturbance nears the Gulf

Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas State Operations Center to boost its readiness level as a potential tropical storm system moves into the Gulf on a track toward the Texas coast.

“We are closely monitoring a tropical system expected to approach the Gulf of Mexico and potentially impact the Texas coast in the coming days,” Abbott said.

“In light of recent heavy rainfall across the state, we are on high-alert as any additional rain could quickly create dangerous flash flooding conditions.”

The system nearing the Gulf could become a tropical depression later in the week and could affect parts of Texas, Louisiana and northeastern Mexico, the National Hurricane Center says.