Tropical storm Erin was only the second named storm to make landfall in southern United States so far this summer. The storm that started to develop south of Jamaica on August 9. was first classified as a tropical depression, but as it gathered strengt on its way through the Gulf of Mexico it was upgraded to a tropical storm. It made landfall near Lamar, Texas on August 16.
Erin led to 11 fatalities, six of these directly caused by the storm. Large parts of southern Texas are having severe problems with flooding and Erin made these problems even worse. In the Greater Houston area several state- and interstate roads were closed because of this and more than 20 000 people lost their power supply as Erin passed.
After passing through Texas Erin hit Oklahoma leading to six fatalities caused directly or indirectly by the storm.
The hurricane Dean, who was expected to go towards southern Texas, went on a more straight path west and made landfall on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico and Belize.
August and September are the two more active months in regards to tropical storms and hurricanes that might hit Texas. For more information and updates regarding hurricanes please use the links in the bottom right corner.