Tropical storm force winds are defined as winds sustained at 39 to 74 mph. I don't expect sustained winds at that strength, but occasional gusts above 40 mph are looking more likely across the area on Friday. In particular Friday morning. That's when computers are suggesting winds sustained at 20 to 30 mph will arrive, with gusts as high as 44 mph.
It has been my experience that once winds in the Houston area begin to gust to 40 mph, scattered power outages begin to occur. That's because at that speed the wind is strong enough to break smaller, weaker limbs in trees and bring them down on to power lines.
I'd highly recommend looking around your property now. Anything that the wind could catch like garbage cans, lawn furniture, umbrellas, canvas awnings, tents and all those inflatable Christmas yard Santa's and reindeer be moved in or secured before the winds begin to pick up Thursday night.
