McClatchy Washington Bureau

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Stow the wind chimes. Stash the garbage carts.

Hours after its landfall today, Hurricane Ike will likely bring heavy rain, tropical-storm-strength winds and widespread power outages to all but the most western parts of North Texas, the National Weather Service said Friday.

At its peak here, the storm could bring 35 mph-45 mph winds with gusts up to 55 mph and heavy rain. That phase will slacken off after about three hours, said Gary Woodall of the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

"We’re probably talking a total of eight or nine hours of significant activity," Woodall said.

The weather service issued a tropical-storm wind warning for the region from 6 a.m. today until 1 a.m. Sunday.

The storm’s length will set it apart from typical North Texas weather.

"This is not going to be a 20-minute event like a spring thunderstorm," Woodall said. "This will be an extended event."

Sustained winds could cause downed trees and power lines and power outages, Woodall said.

Rainfall will likely be 2 to 4 inches in most of the area and linger until Sunday morning, he said.

A flash flood watch is in effect for the Metroplex for today and Sunday.

The Weather Service forecast also calls for isolated tornadoes east of the Metroplex.