Weather - page 4

Tropical Storm Nicholas Update, 9/13/21 @ 10:00 A.M

According to the US National Weather Service Lake Charles Louisiana, Tropical Storm Nicholas is forecast to make landfall on the middle Texas coast later today or tonight. There is a chance it could become a category one hurricane before landfall. Regardless of development, our region is expected to receive 5 to 10 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts possible. Citizens should expect to see street flooding during heavy periods of rain. Our region can expect to see flood conditions through Wednesday. Tides are expected to run 1 to 4 feet above normal in our region, with the higher values in southeast Texas. During high tides, minor coastal flooding is expected.

The City of Orange Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor Tropical Storm Nicholas and will post updates when available.

Citizens are encouraged to monitor local media sites and official social media outlets for current information.

According to the National Weather Service – Lake Charles, today marks the first of several periods of heavy rain and storms in our region. Severe storms are possible throughout the afternoon.

During periods of heavy rain, roadways may begin to hold water. If you notice water over the roadway, turn around. Do not drive through high waters.

The City of Orange Office of Emergency Management encourages citizens to monitor local weather channels for current weather updates and additional information.

Orange County has sandbags available at the following locations.  You will need to bring your own shovel to fill the bags.

• Precinct 1 County Maintenace Barn located on Hwy 87N at North Teal Rd.
• Precinct 2 11897 State Highway 62 in Mauriceville across from Marketing Basket on Highway 62
• Precinct 3 County Maintenance Barn on 2502 West Roundbunch Road
• Precinct 4 County Maintenance Barn on 375 Claiborne St.

According to KFDM Meteorologist Greg Bostwick, Zeta is nearing hurricane intensity and will move across the northeastern sections of the Yucatan Peninsula tonight. By tomorrow morning, Zeta should be in the southern Gulf with a gradual turn to the north Tuesday afternoon. Conditions in the southern Gulf are favorable enough for Zeta to be a hurricane but weakening will be likely as it nears the northern Gulf coast and encounters wind shear along with cooler water temperatures.

Landfall is expected Wednesday afternoon near the mouth of the Mississippi as Zeta turns sharply to the northeast ahead of a front moving into the northwestern Gulf.

Locally, scattered showers can be expected Tuesday and Wednesday as some of the moisture of Zeta interacts with the front moving in from the northwest. Otherwise, any significant weather should stay well to our east.

The following Orange County schools have announced closures for Friday, October 9, due to impending Hurricane Delta:

• West Orange Cove ISD ( All after school events and extracurricular activities for Thursday and Friday have been canceled. The varsity football game against Silsbee has been rescheduled for Saturday, 10/10, at 7:30 pm.)
• Orangefield ISD
• Bridge City ISD
• LCM ISD
• Vidor ISD (also closed Monday)
• Community Christian School
• Lamar State College Orange

Orange County Judge John Gothia has issued a disaster declaration for Orange County in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Delta. In an abundance of caution, if you live in coastal low areas of Orange County you need to take the necessary precautions for a potential 2 to 4-foot storm surge.

Orange County non-emergency offices will be closed Friday, October 9th.

Due to the debris that is already in our area, please be aware that tropical-storm-force winds are forecasted to hit our area beginning Friday. Citizens are urged to maintain situational awareness due to the potential of flying debris. Residents are urged to monitor the local weather stations due to the fast-changing forecast of Hurricane Delta