Local officials say that regardless of whether or not you are in the highlighted area of the watch, you should promptly follow evacuation orders and other instructions.
The first-ever operational Storm Surge Watch was issued Wednesday morning.
The first ever operational Storm Surge Watch has been issued for much of TX coast for the potential for life-threatening surge from #Harvey. https://t.co/cajz3xPTRD
— Taylor Trogdon (@TTrogdon) August 23, 2017
The Storm Surge Watch was issued on August 23 at 10:15 a.m. CDT by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Corpus Christi. The watch was in effect for portions of the Texas coast ahead of Tropical Depression Harvey.
Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches have been issued along Texas Coast. Continue to check back for the latest forecasts! #txwx #stxwx pic.twitter.com/wsOf1Ehgmx
— NWS Corpus Christi (@NWSCorpus) August 23, 2017
The Storm Surge Watch indicates that life-threatening flooding is possible within the watch area and within the next 48 hours.
In their advisory, the NWS said that the peak storm surge inundation has the potential for four to six feet above ground within the surge-prone areas.
The graphic (above) shows the locations most at risk for life-threatening inundation from storm surge.
Storm surge is rising water moving inland from the shoreline, pushed onshore by the force of the wind.
A milestone in hazard communication. Flooding threat from Harvey is compounded by surge and torrential rainfall along Texas coast. #Harvey https://t.co/ZWT8BlESRt
— Louis Uccellini (@NWSDirector) August 23, 2017