BEAUMONT, Texas — Tropical Storm Nicholas is expected to have a significant impact in Southeast Texas. In Houston, we can expect the heaviest rainfall and flood threat on Monday and Tuesday with gusty winds as well
Wednesday, Sept. 15 updates:
6:15 p.m. — Entergy Texas released its final update in Tropical Storm Nicholas' aftermath.
"As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, there are approximately 300 outages associated with Hurricane Nicholas in the Beaumont, Port Arthur and Winnie areas. We expect all customers who can safely receive power will be restored today."
2:50 p.m. — Gov. Greg Abbott and Chief Nim Kidd with the Texas Division of Emergency Management called Texas county judges Wednesday to determine what further support is needed following Hurricane Nicholas and to reinforce the state's commitment to helping them recover, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
The Texas governor said he called every judge whose county is included in the Disaster Declaration issued this week, including judges in the Beaumont area, and thanked them for guiding their communities through the storm.
"As Hurricane Nicholas recovery efforts begin, the State of Texas is working closely with our local partners to ensure Beaumont and surrounding communities have the resources they need to rebuild," Abbott said. "We will continue to collaborate with county judges and local leaders to assess and address the damages of the storm and put the Gulf Coast on a path to recovery."
Abbott and Kidd spoke with the following county judges in the Beaumont area:
- Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia
- Jasper County Judge Mark Allen
- Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick
- Newton County Judge Kenneth Weeks
- Orange County Judge John H. Gothia
12:00 p.m. — The American Red Cross closed its remaining shelters for people affected by Tropical Storm Nicholas in Southeast Texas. Red Cross officials said no residents were in the shelters overnight.
Tuesday, Sept. 14 updates:
9:30 p.m. — Entergy Texas reported that crews have restored power to over 13,300 customers.
Entergy expects to restore the remaining customers in areas that have experienced extensive damage and that can safely take power by late Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 15.
8:30 p.m. — The Cameron Ferry will be out of service on Thursday, Sept. 16, beginning at 8 a.m. The exact time the ferry will resume service is unknown, but officials expect it to be no later than 3 p.m.
7:30 p.m. – The City of Nederland announced that the Tuesday garbage is delayed until Wednesday, the Wednesday garbage route it delayed until Thursday, and the Thursday garbage route is delayed until Friday.
6:30 p.m. -- Entergy reports that of the peak number of 14,000 customers who were without power at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday morning 11,000 have been restored.
Most of the 3,000 still without power are expected to be restored Tuesday but harder hit areas in South Jefferson and Chambers County may not be restored until Wednesday afternoon.
In Southeast Texas 2,088 remain powerless including...
- Beaumont Network(Bevil Oaks, China, Nome, and surrounding areas)
- 131 remain with an estimated restoral time of no later than 10 p.m. Tuesday.
- Dayton Network (Ames, Daisetta, Devers, Hardin, and surrounding areas)
- 144 remain with an estimated restoral time of no later than 10 p.m. Tuesday.
- Orange Network(Bridge City, Pine Forest, Pinehurst, Rose City, Vidor, and surrounding areas)
- 63 remain with an estimated restoral time of no later than 10 p.m. Tuesday.
- Port Arthur Network (Groves, Nederland, Port Neches, Taylor Landing and surrounding areas)
- 1,516 remain with an estimated restoral time of no later than 4 p.m. Wednesday.
- Winnie Network (Anahuac, Bolivar Peninsula, and surrounding areas)
- 234 remain with an estimated restoral time of no later than 4 p.m. Wednesday.
5:45 p.m. -- All City of Beaumont services and facilities will be open and available to tomorrow according to a news release from the city.
5:30 p.m. -- All City of Port Arthur services resume tomorrow according to a news release from the city.
12:30 p.m. — Entergy sent out a statement saying as of now the Beaumont area has 1,417 without power, the Port Arthur area has 1,108 without power, the Orange area has 508 without power, the Silsbee area has 132 without power and the Winnie area has 928 without power.
Areas affected in Beaumont, Silsbee and Orange can expect to have power restored by 10 p.m. Tuesday. Areas in Winnie can expect to have power restored by 4 p.m. Tuesday, and areas in Port Arthur can expect to have power restored by 4 p.m. Wednesday.
10:30 a.m. — Port Arthur Transit services to resume at 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 14. Riders can contact the office at (409) 983-8767.
10 a.m. — Beaumont officials are investigating the scene of down powerlines in the 2800 block of Delaware Street.
9:37 a.m. — Parkdale Mall in Beaumont announces it will reopen at 1 p.m.
8:30 a.m.— Galveston Ferry services resume normal operations following suspension due to weather conditions.
8:18 a.m. — More than 3,300 customers are without power in Jefferson County. More than 5,000 are without power across Southeast Texas, according to Entergy Texas' power outage tracker.
7:50 a.m. — Port Arthur Mayor Thurman 'Bill' Bartie issues Declaration of Local Disaster citing "imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life and property resulting from the potential threat of flash flooding as a result of Tropical Storm Nicolas." It went into effect as of 6 a.m.
7 a.m. — More than 2,300 customers are without power in Jefferson County. Nearly 5,000 without power across Southeast Texas, according to Entergy Texas' power outage tracker.
6:45 a.m. — Due to the continuing weather conditions, the City of Beaumont will close non-essential City offices today from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Non-essential City of Beaumont services will not be available Tuesday, which includes trash pickup and transit services.
6 a.m. — East and Westbound lanes along FM 366 where the road intersects with North Twin City Highway are now open.
5 a.m. — East and Westbound lanes along FM 366 where the road intersects with North Twin City Highway are closed due to flooding in Mid County, according to TxDOT. This is just slightly northeast of Jack Brooks Regional Airport in Midcounty.
4 a.m. — Hurricane Nicholas made landfall as a category 1 storm around 12:30 a.m. and has downgraded to a tropical storm, according to the 4 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.
2:30 a.m. — More than 2,000 customers are without power in Jefferson County Tuesday morning. Nearly 3,000 without power across Southeast Texas, according to Entergy Texas' power outage tracker.
1:25 a.m. — More than 100,000 power outages have been reported across the Houston area due to Hurricane Nicholas, according to CenterPoint Energy's power outage tracker.
12:30 a.m. — Hurricane Nicholas made landfall around 12:30 a.m. on the eastern part of the Matagorda Peninsula, about 10 miles west-southwest of Sargent Beach.
12:30 a.m. — The Galveston Ferry announced it's suspending operations until further notice due to weather conditions. Officials will release updates when it's safe to resume operations.
Monday, September 13 updates:
11 p.m. - The American Red Cross has opened shelters along the Texas Gulf Coast for people impacted by flooding due to Tropical Storm Nicholas.
- Orange Church of God
- 1911 N 16th St., Orange, TX 77630
- Baptist Church of Nederland
- 1911 Nederland Ave., Nederland, TX 77627
5 p.m. – Orange County Judge John Gothia has issued a Declaration of Disaster for Orange County as of 5 pm today for Tropical Storm Nicholas. Orange County Offices will be closed for business Tuesday.
4 p.m. — Newton County Judge Kenneth Weeks has issued a disaster declaration in advance of Tropical Storm Nicholas.
3 p.m. — Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia has issued a disaster declaration in advance of Tropical Storm Nicholas. The county has also activated its Emergency Operations Center and will continue to monitor weather alerts and provide updates as appropriate.
3 p.m. — Gov. Greg Abbott and emergency management officials have scheduled a 4 p.m. briefing on Tropical Storm Nicholas.
2021 Hurricane Season Outlook
The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season is forecast to produce more storms than average. The reason for this is the lack of El Nino, which typically features more wind shear. We also expect warmer than average sea temperatures and an active West African Monsoon.
After a record-breaking 2020 hurricane season, we now know the Greek alphabet will no longer be used to name storms.
The World Meteorological Organization announced the Greek alphabet will not be used in the future because it "creates a distraction from the communication of hazard and storm warnings and is potentially confusing."
There has been only one other season that used the extra set of names, and that was in 2005. The World Meteorological Organization released a new set of supplemental names that will be used if the season exhausts the standard list.
Be prepared if a storm comes our way
BEFORE THE STORM
- Make a home inventory
- Have a current copy of your declarations page that has your policy number and your agent's number
- Review your policy with your insurance agent to determine if you have adequate coverage
- Repair loose boards, shingles, shutters and downspouts to prevent them from becoming an issue in high winds or torrential rain
- Have an evacuation plan, and include plans for your pets
- Make sure your emergency equipment is in working order, including a battery-powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries. Also, make sure to gather all medicine, replenish your first-aid kit and stock a week's worth of non-perishable food and water
- Charge your cell phone and fill your car with gas
- Program all emergency phone numbers
DURING THE STORM
- If you are advised to evacuate, leave as soon as possible. Retain all related receipts - they may be considered in your claim. If you aren't in a recommended evacuation and you plant to stay home, stay informed by listening to weather alerts
- Keep windows and doors closed at all time, and, if possible, board them up with wooden or metal shutters
- Stay away from the windows and in the center of the room, or, stay in an interior room
- Avoid flood water, as it may be electrically charged from downed power lines
- Check on family members and friends
AFTER THE STORM
- Check to be sure your family members are safe
- If you did evacuate, wait for official notice that it is safe to re-enter your neighborhood and your house
- Document damaged property, and take photos and videos. Don't dispose of any damaged items without approval
- Keep a record of any temporary repairs or expenses to prevent further damage to your property.
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