TS Don Strengthens As It Moves Over Central Gulf Of Mexico
MIAMI (CBS4) – A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the southern coast of Texas as Tropical Storm Don continued its trek across the central Gulf of Mexico.
At 11 p.m. the center of the storm was located about 370 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas. The fourth named storm of the season had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph as it moved to the west-northwest near 14 mph. Tropical storm force winds extend out about 60 miles from Don's center.
The Tropical Storm Warning extends from the mouth of the Rio Grande to San Luis Pass. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere with the warning area within 36 hours.
A Tropical Storm watch is in effect for the Texas coast south of Port Mansfield to the mouth of the Rio Grande.
Don is expected to strengthen over the next two days. On its forecast path, Don is expected to approach the Texas coastline on Friday and reach the coast by Friday night or Saturday.
Don is expected to produce three to five inches of rain from the central Texas coast west into south central Texas; some areas could see up to seven inches of rain.
A storm surge is expected to raise the water levels by up to two feet, mainly along the coast near and to the northeast of where the center makes landfall. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large, damaging waves.
