Storm Nicholas became a hurricane and made landfall in the state of Texas in the United States

Tropical Storm Nicolas acquired the strength of a Category 1 hurricane as it was about to make landfall from the United States to Texas, The National Hurricane Center (NHC, for its acronym in English) reported Monday evening during a dangerous rain and storm surge warning.

Nicholas, came to the territory of Texas with maximum sustained winds of 120 km / hour, with stronger gusts, and is expected to discharge up to 45 cm of rain in the Houston area as it passed through the area, weather officials said.

Nicolas “It brings heavy rains, high winds and storm surges to parts of the central and north coast of Texas.”NHC said in its 03:00 GMT bulletin on Tuesday.

“These precipitations can cause severe flash floodsThe agency said.

“On the planned trajectory, Nicholas’ eye is expected to land along the Texas coast in a few hours, move to extreme southeastern Texas on Tuesday and early Wednesday, and pass southwestern Louisiana later Wednesday, ”the initial report said as the phenomenon approached the mainland.

The CHN also issued a storm surge warning for much of the Gulf Coast, which means that “there is a danger of fatal flooding due to the rising waters moving towards the interior of the coast”.

“It’s a potentially life-threatening situation,” he said, and alerted the inhabitants of the region to take “all necessary measures to protect life and property from the flood and other potentially dangerous conditions ”.

CANCELED FLIGHTS

Sylvester Turner, mayor of Houston, a city that was hit hard by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, said that the city is on high alert.

“I urge everyone to stay off the roads at sunset and avoid driving tonight until tomorrow, as we anticipate heavy rain, ”Turner posted on Twitter.

Authorities put up barricades, activated the Houston emergency management office and asked residents to take precautions.

The imminent arrival of the storm forced the cancellation of numerous flights at Houston-area airports, and the shipping channel in the city’s busy port was also closed.said a spokesperson for the agency that directs the ships through the waterway.

Schools closed on Mondays in the afternoon throughout the storm-affected area and will remain closed on Tuesday, authorities said.

The Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, urged residents of the state to follow the guidelines of local authorities.

“It’s up to all Texans on the way through this storm to take precautions, heed the advice of the authorities and remain vigilant as this severe weather moves over Texas, ”he said in a statement.

This state is no stranger to hurricanes, but scientists warn climate change is increasing in intensity and endanger coastal populations.

The coasts suffer from flooding, which were made worse by rising sea levels.

(With information from AFP)

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