Tropical Storm Harold makes landfall in southern Texas

Tropical Storm Harold made landfall Tuesday on Padre Island in Texas on Tuesday morning, bringing the threat of heavy rain and strong winds to the state’s southernmost tip.

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Harold makes landfall in Texas

Update 11:55 a.m. EDT Aug. 22: Officials with the National Hurricane Center said the center of Harold made landfall on Padre Island around 10 a.m. CDT. The storm, which has maximum sustained winds near 50 mph, is expected to weaken steadily before becoming a tropical depression later Tuesday.

Officials with the National Weather Service’s Houston office said the storm will have few impacts on southeast Texas.

The National Hurricane Center said Harold could bring heavy rainfall and pose a flood risk.

— Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Original report: Harold had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph around 4 a.m. ET Tuesday. The center of the storm was about 155 miles east-southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm was moving west-northwest at 18 mph.

As of 4 a.m. CT, the area was beginning to see rain and windy conditions. Heavy rain and tropical storm-force winds are expected over parts of South Texas after sunrise.

According to the NHC, the latest track will put the system making landfall south of Corpus Christi by midday. A storm surge of 1 to 3 feet is expected along the mouth of the Rio Grande to Sargent, Baffin Bay, Corpus Christi and Matagorda Bay.

The NHC said Harold will dump 3 to 5 inches of rain across South Texas on Tuesday and into Wednesday.

While the storm is not forecast to become a hurricane, officials at the NHC said it is possible for Harold to strengthen some before making landfall.