National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Erin Strengthens to a Hurricane; Heavy Rainfall Possible in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Upper Midwest, South Texas

Hurricane Erin may bring isolated flash and urban flooding, landslides or mudslides, and possible tropical storm conditions to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this weekend. Scattered thunderstorms and heavy rainfall may bring areas of flooding this weekend over the Upper Midwest. A tropical disturbance will bring locally heavy rain and mainly urban flash flooding to far southern Texas. Read More >

 

Severe storms are expected to affect much of the area overnight with tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds, and cloud-to-ground lightning possible. Ensure wireless emergency alerts are enabled on your cell phone. If you have a NOAA Weather Radio, set it to alert mode so you can be awakened if a warning is issued.

Severe weather that occurs overnight can increase personal vulnerability and have significant potential impact on the public. This is due to:

  - Public is less likely to receive warnings overnight as many people are asleep.

  - Tornadoes are much more difficult to spot at night.

  - People who are inside vulnerable housing/building structures such as mobile homes.

  - Nighttime tornadoes are more likely to cause fatalities than daytime tornadoes.

  - People often are less aware of severe storm potential in the winter season.

Stay tuned to the National Weather Service for the latest information. Have a plan of action in place and ready to go if severe weather threatens or a warning is issued. More tornado safety information can be found at this link.