Though Harvey slammed into the Texas Gulf Coast as a category four hurricane, by midday Saturday, the storm meant little more than some scattered showers and occasional downpours in Port Arthur.

Locally, officials said there were no reports of severe flooding or other problems.

By Saturday afternoon, the storm, now inland, was downgraded.

“Harvey is now a tropical storm with 70 mph sustained winds,” Jared Rackley, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said.

According to Rackley, the Southeast Texas area has received four to six inches of rain in some places so far, with an estimated five to eight additional inches over the next several days. He said there was a possibility of an additional 10 to 12 inches in some places.

Tropical Storm Harvey continues to move at a very slow pace, clocking in at 2 mph Saturday afternoon.

“The forecast has it continuing to move to the northwest through Texas throughout Saturday and Sunday,” Rackley said. “Then it starts to shift a little back to the southeast, not making it to the Gulf.”

Rackley said they then expect it to move to the north where it would be downgraded further to a tropical depression.

“It’s basically making a loop in Texas,” he said.

Southeast Texas residents should still brace themselves for periodic rainfall and a series of rain bands for the next several days.

Rackley said parts of Jefferson County could expect some flash flooding like in the Beaumont area.

Local and county officials continue to monitor the situation and keep the public updated.

Port Arthur residents can continue to receive updates through the city’s website http://www.portarthurtx.gov and on Facebook.

The Port Arthur News’ website and Facebook page will also be updated throughout the weekend.

As of Saturday afternoon, the City of Port Arthur ceased its sandbag operations due to lightning and inclement weather and Highway 87 into Sabine Pass is still open.

Public information officer Risa Carpenter said the Texas Department of Transportation has put their Port Arthur maintenance crews on 12-hour shifts to better accommodate the demands of the situation.

Nederland residents can keep up to date with city news through Nederland’s Facebook page.

The Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management and Sheriff’s Office continue to monitor the latest Harvey developments.

“We’re continuing to monitor the weather and it looks like Harvey will stay out there in the Austin, San Antonio area,” Marcus McLellan, public information and community relations with JCSO, said. “We’ll continue to get rain bands time to time over the weekend.”

McLellan urged residents to stay tuned to local news and weather services for the latest weather updates.

McLellan said Precinct 4 would continue to distribute sandbags Sunday with minimal staffing while the other three precincts will suspend sandbag operations Sunday.