Tropical Storm Don is expected to reach the coast of Texas at 1am UTC on Saturday 30th July 2011. A Tropical Storm warning from the National Hurricane Center in Florida at 09:00 UTC on Friday 29th July read as follows:
“A tropical storm warning is in effect for Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Matagorda. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area – in this case within 24 hours. Interests in North-Eastern Mexico should monitor the progress of Don.
“The tropical storm’s center is located near 25.3N 93.6W as of 09:00 on 29th July 2011. The position is accurate to within 20 NM. Present movement toward the West-NorthWest or 295 degrees at 12 Knots. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1000 MB.”
The forecast goes on to say that the maximum gusts expected over the next 24 hours are 60 knots and that once inland, the maximum gusts will be 55 knots until the storm dissipates on 31st July 2011.
It is hoped that the storm will bring rain to an area that has recently been stricken by drought. Businesses have already begun preparing for potential storm damage, including Sprint Networks – the mobile and wireless provider, who have made critical assets available including backup generators, network engineers and emergency personnel. Some oil platform operators in the Gulf of Mexico have withdrawn non-essential staff in anticipation of the bad weather.
