Tropical Depression Edouard has brought significant rainfall and flash flooding to Southeast Texas, leaving over 70,000 customers without power as it moves inland. A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for parts of Hardin and Tyler counties early Wednesday morning due to life-threatening flooding.
Edouard made landfall as a tropical storm near Johnson Bayou, Louisiana, on Tuesday afternoon with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. It was downgraded to a tropical depression by Tuesday evening. The National Hurricane Center reported that between 10 and 21 inches of rain had fallen in the affected areas by Wednesday morning, prompting urgent calls for residents in communities like Kountze, Village Mills, and Honey Island to seek higher ground.
Several school districts, including the Woodville Independent School District, canceled classes. City officials in Kountze reported downed power lines and ongoing flooding, advising against unnecessary travel. Port Arthur Independent School District announced closures to allow for damage assessments.
The storm's effects were visible along the coast, with strong winds and high waves impacting areas like Sabine Pass. Edouard is the third storm to make landfall in the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, following Tropical Storm Arthur on June 17 and Tropical Storm Bertha on July 22, both of which also impacted the northwestern Gulf Coast.
Disaster declarations were issued by the city of Port Arthur and Jefferson County to expedite cleanup efforts. Jefferson County officials shared video of downed trees and power lines, urging residents to stay off the roads. Beaumont announced delayed opening of city facilities on Wednesday as crews worked to clear debris.
Forecasters anticipated the heaviest rain would fall inland through Wednesday midday, primarily east of Interstate 45. The FOX Forecast Center predicted rain totals could reach 8-10 inches in some locations, with most areas receiving 3-5 inches. NOAA's Weather Prediction Center identified a Level 3 out of 4 flash flood risk for a corridor east of I-45, from Livingston to north of Palestine.
Edouard developed rapidly from a cluster of thunderstorms in the northern Gulf, strengthening from a Potential Tropical Cyclone to a tropical storm within nine hours on Monday. Wind gusts reached up to 90 mph in Port Arthur, with additional hurricane-force gusts recorded in the area on Tuesday.