Tropical Depression Harold Downgraded After Triggering Floods in Texas.

Harold was downgraded to a tropical depression after making landfall as a tropical storm on Padre Island, Texas. This added to the intense activity of the Atlantic hurricane season, which saw three other storms forming in rapid succession.

Southern Texas was hit hard by Harold’s heavy rain, with up to six inches expected in isolated areas by early Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Already, places like Corpus Christi International Airport had received about two inches of rain by the afternoon. Mustang Island, situated east of the airport, received even more rainfall, with around seven inches reported.

Despite the storm weakening to a tropical depression by Tuesday evening, the heavy rain persisted, though it was moving rapidly. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the deployment of emergency resources, including rescue boats and National Guard platoons, as flooding led to road closures in Corpus Christi.

Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities or injuries, with most calls focusing on fallen trees and flooded roads. Meteorologists stated that Harold made landfall on Padre Island around 10 a.m. local time. The storm’s core moved inland by 1 p.m., with it heading west-northwest at 21 miles per hour towards southern Texas and northern Mexico.

Harold marked the first landfalling storm of the Atlantic Hurricane season. Around 25,000 homes and businesses in the state lost power due to the storm. Another tropical storm, Hilary, impacted the West Coast recently, while among the other storms, only Franklin was expected to threaten land.

With sustained winds near 45 miles per hour, Harold was below hurricane strength, but still caused significant impact. This year’s El Niño pattern increased wind shear in the Atlantic, which hinders hurricane formation, though heightened sea surface temperatures presented a different challenge.

In this unique year, predictions have been more complex due to a combination of factors, leaving experts uncertain about what lies ahead. Scientists are in agreement that climate change is enhancing hurricane intensity and rainfall, raising concerns about the growing risk of major hurricanes and increased rainfall amounts.