Tropical Storm Edouard formed Monday in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen before making landfall in Texas on Tuesday, bringing the potential for heavy rains and flooding to coastal areas of Texas and Louisiana. As of early Tuesday, the storm was located approximately 85 miles southeast of Cameron, Louisiana, and 115 miles southeast of Port Arthur, Texas, with sustained winds of 40 mph, moving west-northwest at 7 mph.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated that flooding is the primary concern associated with the storm. Forecasters anticipate rainfall of 3-6 inches in the greater Houston area, with some parts of the upper Texas coast possibly receiving up to 9 inches. The National Hurricane Center warned that rainfall rates could exceed 4 inches per hour, increasing the likelihood of flash flooding in low-lying and urban areas.
Officials in Texas are preparing for the storm. The Texas Division of Emergency Management said the state is ready for its first major storm of the season. Crews worked Monday to clear dry vegetation that could become fuel for fast-spreading fires ignited by lightning.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Lowell was positioned about 690 miles southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, on Monday evening. It was moving west with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and is predicted to intensify rapidly, potentially becoming a major hurricane by Wednesday.
Additionally, Hurricane Karina, which became a hurricane on Sunday, strengthened into a Category 4 storm on Monday far from land. It remained a Category 4 storm on Monday evening, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, located 1,135 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula. Karina is not threatening any landmasses.