TEXAS, USA — On Sunday, Hurricane Marco downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved into the Gulf of Mexico.
On Friday, Governor Greg Abbott urged Texans to remain vigilant and closely monitor weather conditions as Tropical Depression 14 – now Tropical Storm Marco – makes its way toward the Gulf.
"As Tropical Depression 14 approaches the state, Texans should remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from heavy rainfall and potential flooding," Abbott said Friday. "The State of Texas is closely monitoring weather conditions and is prepared to respond to any further developments."
Marco is expected to make landfall Monday night, but its moving away from the San Antonio area.
An area of high pressure over the Atlantic Ocean will help steer Laura into the Gulf of Mexico.
The latest forecast track of Tropical Storm Marco has shifted significantly to the east. A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coasts.
Primary concerns with Marco will be dangerous storm surge, damaging wind gusts, and isolated tornadoes are possible within the outer rainbands. There is still some uncertainty on where Tropical Storm Laura will make landfall along the Gulf Coast, but this tropical system will make landfall on Wednesday.
Gulf Coast residents from Louisiana to Alabama will need to have their hurricane plan ready.
As of Friday, the governor had requested that the Division of Emergency Management identify the following resource in support of the potential response to the storm:
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw Crews and Incident Management Teams
- Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service: Texas A&M Task Force One and Two Search and Rescue Teams
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Boat Teams to support water rescue operations
- Texas Military Department: High Profile Vehicle Packages
- Texas Department of State Health Services: Emergency Medical Task Force Severe Weather Packages
- Texas Department of Transportation: High Profile Vehicles
- Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Highway Patrol: Search and Rescue Aircraft with hoist capability, and the Tactical Marine Unit