Texas prepares for Tropical Wave nearing Gulf of Mexico

HOUSTON, TX - Governor Greg Abbott says Texas is preparing for a possible tropical storm system headed toward the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center has now increased the chance of the low in the Gulf of Mexico to 70% to become a tropical depression or named storm: Joyce.

The tropical system is one of several that have formed in the Atlantic Ocean, including powerful Hurricane Florence heading toward the East Coast.

The National Hurricane Center says the storm system nearing the Gulf could become a tropical depression later this week and affect parts of Texas, Louisiana and northeastern Mexico.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated system, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the Houston area and parts of Southeast Texas until Tuesday night amid rain and scattered street flooding.

Texas City Independent School District canceled classes Tuesday due to street flooding in the community 35 miles (56.32 kilometers) southeast of Houston. Some roads also flooded in Dickinson.