The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Texas Gulf Coast, including Houston and Galveston, until 6 a.m. Christmas day. Residents are prepared for strong winds, hail, and potential tornadoes.
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The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Texas Gulf Coast, which included Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, and Fort Bend counties, until 6 a.m. on Wednesday. The watch, which was issued late Tuesday, also applied to 22 other counties and neighboring coastal waters, including Matagorda and Galveston Bays.
Forecasters predicted destructive winds, giant hail, and isolated tornadoes. Coastal regions such as Port Aransas and the Matagorda Ship Channel may encounter strong gusts over the water. Residents were advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and be vigilant to changing situations.
The storms brought the potential for power disruptions and flash flooding. Officials advised securing outdoor objects, charging mobile devices, and preparing for possible utility outages. Emergency services are on standby.
Houston and Galveston, which are prone to severe weather, are frequently under a thunderstorm watch. "These storms could intensify quickly, so take precautions," stated a National Weather Service official.
Residents can get real-time information from weather applications, local news, and emergency broadcasts.
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The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has closed the oyster harvesting area TX-5 in Galveston Bay after reef health fell below sustainability thresholds, leaving only two public areas open in the bay as the season continues.
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The Gulf Coast Protection District voted unanimously Jan. 21 to advance preliminary engineering and design work on the long-debated Galveston Bay Barrier System, a $31 billion centerpiece of the broader Coastal Texas Project. Supporters call it critical storm protection; critics question its cost, timeline, and effectiveness.
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A $35 million beach renourishment project on Pensacola Beach is nearing completion, with 1.5 million cubic yards of sand set to be placed along 8.1 miles of shoreline ahead of peak spring tourism. Similar restoration efforts have wrapped up in Galveston, Texas.