@jbtaylor on tech

I'm a spokesman for Sprint. This personal site is where I share news stories and my views about our company, our phones and other devices. I also write a bit about tech policy, the wireless industry and life in Washington, D.C.

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Searching Texas

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Sprint Stores Closing in Advance of Hurricane Alex

Even though Hurricane Alex hasn't made landfall in the Rio Grande Valley yet, the heavy rains and winds have begun. Because we put the safety of our employees first, Sprint is closing two Brownsville, Texas retail stores early so our employees can make it home safely. 

Our stores in the Paseo Real Shopping Center and Boca Chica Place will be closing at 3:00 p.m. CT today. (Flooding is a concern in these neighborhoods.) We may close other area stores early as the afternoon continues. 

As I have updates to share about future store closings, I will post them to this blog.

Tropical Storm Alex Now Season's First Hurricane

Media_httpwwwinthenew_dhebs
via inthenews.co.uk

Earlier this evening, the National Hurricane Center announced the Tropical Storm Alex had reached hurricane strength. Now Hurricane Alex, the storm is the first June Atlantic storm in the to reach hurricane status since 1995. Hurricane status means the storm exceeds sustained winds of more than 75 miles per hour.

Sprint has pre-positioned back up network generators and other network equipment up and down the Texas coast in the event Hurricane Alex knocks out electricity in the region.

The latest hurricane warnings and tropical storm warnings are the same as when I wrote last night: as of 10:00 p.m. CT, a hurricane warning is in effect from the Baffin Bay south to Mexican border at the Rio Grande continuing south into Mexico all the way to La Cruz. Tropical storm warnings extend from Baffin Bay north to Port O'Connor in the U.S. and in Mexico from La Cruz south to Cabo Rojo.

Rainfall could be as heavy as 20 inches in the landfall area. The storm surge could reach as much as 5 feet. Landfall is expected Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning. The storm is currently a Category 1, but may strengthen to Category 2 before it makes landfall.

The U.S. Coast Guard has begun preparations in the port of Brownsville -- the port has now been closed for the duration of the storm. And shelters have been established up and down the South Texas coast. A state of emergency has already been declared by Governor Rick Perry and President Barack Obama. (As a result, FEMA has announced plans for federal aid to 24 Texas counties.)

This is a serious storm and residents are urged to take appropriate precautions.