As Harvey Threatens Floods, Hurricane, Abbott Declares State Of Disaster For 30 Counties

Five stories that have North Texas talking: Texas is in for a wet weekend; another chain moves its headquarters to Texas; the rise and fall of Dallas’ 1988 Carter High School football team; and more.

Update, 1:30 p.m. Thursday: For the latest on Hurricane Harvey, read our blog throughout the weekend.

Formerly a tropical depression, “Harvey” has regained tropical storm strength as it drifts in the Gulf of Mexico toward Texas.

Forecasters say it could become a hurricane by late Friday, when it's expected to approach the southern Texas coast. A hurricane warning was issued for the Texas coast Thursday morning, covering an area from Port Mansfield to Matagorda. A hurricane watch was in effect for Texas from Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass. A storm surge watch was in effect from Port Mansfield to High Island.

Heavy rainfall — 10 to 15 inches — is likely to spread across eastern Texas, Louisiana and the lower Mississippi Valley from Friday through early next week and could cause life-threatening flooding, the National Hurricane Center says.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday ordered the State Operations Center to elevate its readiness level and is making state resources available for preparation and possible rescue and recovery actions. The threat of severe weather prompted Abbott to preemptively declare a state of disaster for 30 counties on or near the coast to speed deployment of state resources.

Emergency officials Wednesday asked residents along the upper Texas coastline to move or prepare to move inland, the Associated Press reports. Those in low-lying areas were urged to seek higher ground, and those elsewhere were told to monitor official announcements closely.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sending supplies from its warehouse in Fort Worth to Randolph Air Force Base near San Antonio, NBC 5 reports. “The supplies, which would be used to help people affected by the storm, include about 250,000 meals, 77,000 liters of water and 4,000 tarps.”

North Texas won’t be severely affected, but rain chances hinge on Harvey, WFAA meteorologist Pete Delkus says.

The National Weather Service says it's been 14 years since a hurricane made landfall along the southern portion of the Texas coast.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a rough hurricane season for Texas. Here’s why it’s not ready for it. [Associated Press, Texas Monthly, Texas Tribune, Houston Chronicle]

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• Pei Wei Asian Diner is moving its headquarters from its longtime location in Scottsdale, Ariz., to a 14,000 square feet in the Las Colinas Highlands, a seven-story building near D/FW International Airport. [The Dallas Morning News]
• President Trump threatened to shut down the government if necessary to pressure Congress to fund the border wall. [Bloomberg]
• Here’s how Texas lawmakers made one of the country's most gerrymandered districts. [The Texas Tribune]
• A new ESPN “30 for 30” documentary tells the true story of “Friday Night Lights” rivals, Dallas’ 1988 Carter High School football team. It’s one about race and the pressures young athletes face. Adam Hootnick’s “What Carter Lost” airs on ESPN at 8:30 p.m. [NPR]

The High Five is KERA’s daily roundup of stories from Dallas-Fort Worth and across the state.Explore our archives here. And sign up forour weekly emailfor the North Texas news you need to know.