For the first time in months, the pandemic was not the main concern for those in coastal areas of Texas. Life-threatening flooding and hurricane-force winds were the distraction, whipping from the earliest H-named tropical storm in recorded history – Hurricane Hanna.
Early Track Identified
As early as July 14, AccuWeather meteorologists were warning of possible tropical developments in the Gulf of Mexico and impacts along the Texas coast as highlighted in a 20-Day Long-Range discussion and a daily tropical outlook.
At the same time, public sources were not warning of any development across the Atlantic basin. This is just one of the many similar examples where AccuWeather For Business customers benefit from more accurate advance notice.
On July 22, five hours before public sources issued their first map covering Tropical Depression Eight, AccuWeather was already issuing impact-driven forecast maps highlighting the expected track of this storm, as well as landfall predictions during the evening of July 25. AccuWeather predicted landfall around 5 P.M. CDT; public sources specified no time.
In addition, AccuWeather warned this storm could intensify into a hurricane before making landfall in Texas. The AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes rating of a 1 provided more detail on the potential impacts, including damaging winds and widespread flooding.
This storm intensified into Hurricane Hanna before making landfall in southern Texas on July 25 at 5 P.M.
Clients Prepared For Flooding Rains
As accurately predicted, reports of flooding and damaging winds increased across South Texas due to Hanna’s impact. AccuWeather had warned that flooding rainfall of 5-10 inches would be the most widespread and greatest impact.
Through impact-driven forecasts, AccuWeather For Business warned clients across Texas and the Gulf Coast region about the impending storm and gave organizations more time to prepare for possible impacts, days ahead of time.
Numerous railroad clients in Monterrey, Mexico were affected as well as a large retailer and hospitals utilizing temporary triage tents for COVID-19.
A large financial services company, an AccuWeather For Business client in Monterrey, utilized our 1:1 meteorological consulting services and learned that they were at a high risk of flooding. They weren’t prepared for this impact before the call and we were able to detail the actual risk in real-time. A large insurance client also benefited from 1:1 consulting services throughout the storm.
Knowing the potential risks well ahead of any tropical system is an important part of developing, maintaining, and executing an emergency action plan for the tropical season.
Advantages of our hurricane expertise, tools and services:
- Team of meteorologists watching out for you and your assets
- Ability to consult 1:1 with a meteorologist for extra insight when critical decisions are necessary
- Tools to help you understand weather impacts ahead of other sources
- Most accurate forecasts, independent of public sources
- No-hype forecasts tailored to your operations and specific concerns
Learn more about our hurricane forecasts and services or contact us for a no-obligation trial.
