A hurricane watch has been issued for parts of the US Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Edouard rapidly strengthens ahead of landfall on Tuesday.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that Edouard is ‘poised to significantly strengthen’ before striking near the Texas-Louisiana border.
Landfall will likely occur near the Louisiana-Texas border around 1pm CT (2pm ET).
Meteorologists warned that communities in its path face a life-threatening storm surge, torrential rain, flash flooding and the threat of tornadoes.
Hurricane and tropical storm watches are in place along the Texas and Louisiana coasts near the state line.
Edouard is expected to dump three to six inches of rain across the upper Texas coast and east-central Texas, with isolated totals reaching nine inches.
Far southwestern Louisiana could receive two to four inches, raising the risk of flash flooding in urban and low-lying areas, as well as possible river flooding.
‘This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions,’ the NHC’s Tuesday alert states.
‘Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.’
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that Edouard is ‘poised to significantly strengthen’ before striking near the Texas-Louisiana border later today
Edouard is expected to dump three to six inches of rain across the upper Texas coast and east-central Texas, with isolated totals reaching nine inches
Early Tuesday, the storm was about 65 miles south-southeast of Cameron, Louisiana, and 90 miles southeast of Port Arthur, Texas, with maximum sustained winds of 40mph while moving west-northwest at 8mph.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the biggest problem expected from the storm is flooding.
Orlando Alanis of the Texas Division of Emergency Management said during a news conference: ‘This is our first big storm of the season, and I’ll tell you, Texas is prepared.’
Despite the storm being short-lived, meteorologists warned it will wring out flooding rain in parts of eastern Texas and Louisiana, including the Houston metro area, and could potentially soak areas as far north as Dallas.
Coastal areas could see as much as three to five feet of storm surge, and gusty winds are also possible. The Weather Channel warned that Edouard could briefly become a hurricane near landfall later today.
Southeast Texas, including Houston, is under flood watch through Wednesday morning.
A storm surge warning is in effect from High Island, Texas to the Vermilion-Cameron Parish line, Louisiana, while a hurricane watch stretches from High Island to Cameron.
This means life-threatening coastal flooding caused by water moving inland is expected somewhere within the warning area during the next 12 to 24 hours.
Hurricane and tropical storm watches are in place along the Texas and Louisiana coasts near the state line
Landfall will likely occur near the Louisiana-Texas border around 1pm CT (2pm ET). Above is a model showing possible paths of the storm
A tropical storm warning covers the coast from Port Bolivar, Texas to the Vermilion-Iberia Parish line in Louisiana.
Tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within that area during the next 12 hours.
A hurricane watch is in effect from High Island to Cameron, meaning hurricane conditions are possible within the next 12 hours.
Storm surge of three to five feet is expected. Winds of 70 mph or more are possible near the center of the storm at landfall, with the storm expected to quickly weaken after moving inland.
Residents should monitor updates from their local National Weather Service (NWS) office for information about conditions and possible inland watches or warnings.
