Tropical Storm Harvey has drifted back into the Gulf of Mexico after crippling Houston and is poised regain strength before crashing ashore again, this time on the Texas-Louisiana border.

In addition to its economic impact, Harvey prompted thousands of residents along the Texas coast to flee their homes and caused Governor Greg Abbott to declare an emergency.

Harvey is on track to become a Category 3 storm, the first major hurricane to hit the U.S. since Wilma in 2005.

Currently a tropical depression, Harvey could develop into a hurricane just before landfall on Friday.

Not one, but three potential storms threaten to usher in the busiest phase of the Atlantic hurricane season later this month, courtesy of warm ocean temperatures.

The Atlantic hurricane season will probably end with an above-average 14 to 19 named storms now that it is almost certain a system-deterring Pacific El Nino wont arrive.

The storm is currently forecast to move inland over southeastern Texas or southwestern Louisiana Thursday. Heavy rain is expected across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas.

The Atlantic hurricane season is less than three weeks old yet its already threatening the Gulf of Mexico coastline with flooding rains.