DALLAS _ A hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico is now expected to strengthen to a Category 3 storm before it hits the Texas coast late Friday.
Hurricane Harvey is forecast to bring life-threatening storm surge and flooding of up to 12 feet, damaging wind and more than 30 inches of rain in some areas, according to the National Hurricane Center.
In preparation for the storm, Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for 30 counties, including Austin, Harris and Brazoria.
Thanks to the warm waters of the Gulf, what started as a tropical storm quickly intensified Thursday morning, and it will continue to intensify as it approaches the coast. The storm's winds were measured at 85 mph Thursday afternoon.
Harvey will be the first hurricane to hit Texas since 2008 when Ike, a Category 2 storm, made landfall at Galveston. Category 3 Hurricane Rita hit Sabine Pass in 2005.
People are being advised to reconsider any weekend travel plans they have to the coast and surrounding areas, such as Houston, where Harvey is expected to hit the hardest. Those living in the affected areas are encouraged to secure themselves and their belongings by Thursday night.
Authorities in Calhoun, Jackson, Refugio and Victoria counties have issued mandatory evacuations, according to the Victoria Advocate. The city of Port Aransas also issued a mandatory evacuation order.
Sen. John Cornyn said Thursday that he had spoken to FEMA Director Brock Long to "make sure we were latched up at the state and federal level" in preparation for the storm.
"I'm comfortable that we are," he said.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Donald Trump is keeping a close watch on the situation.
"There's certainly someone at the helm," she said.
Trump called Abbott on Thursday to offer federal support and pledged all available resources for preparation, rescue and recovery efforts, the governor's office said in a written statement.
What should North Texans expect from the storm? Not much, really.
Harvey could bring scattered rain to Dallas-Fort Worth from Friday through Monday, said meteorologist Daniel Huckaby with the National Weather Service.
"We'll be on the fringe of the storm," he said, adding that there'd be a chance of rain but not much wind.
What North Texans are preparing for, though, is providing aid for those who will be hit by the storm.
The city of Dallas has made preparations to shelter up to 6,000 evacuees if necessary, according to city officials. And Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said the county is "ready, willing and able" to provide shelters if necessary.
Ten infants dependent on ventilators were being evacuated from a Corpus Christi hospital to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth.
"Those are the patients you need to get out quick," said Debbie Boudreaux, director of transport for Cook Children's.
Emergency crews from Dallas Fire-Rescue, including some members of the urban search and rescue team, are also being sent to help in San Antonio where trailers full of meals, water and tarps have been positioned for distribution.
"It's a waiting game," said Vanessa Winans, a spokeswoman for FEMA's regional office that covers Texas.
Airlines are bracing for the storm as well, although cancellations haven't started piling up yet.
A number of major airlines, including American, Southwest, Delta and United, have issued waivers that allow passengers traveling through Houston and other nearby cities, including Austin and San Antonio, to reschedule their flights without paying change fees.
DFW International Airport is preparing for possible flight diversions from airports in the storm's path, spokesman David Magana said.
Those plans include being ready to extend concessions hours; distributing cots, blankets and other items to stranded travelers; and having additional fueling capacity on hand for diverted flights.
