Tropical Storm Edouard formed Monday in the Gulf of Mexico and was forecast to strengthen before bringing potentially heavy rains and flooding to parts of Texas and Louisiana. The storm, upgraded from a tropical depression on Monday night, is expected by forecasters with the National Hurricane Center to make landfall in Texas on Tuesday.
Early Tuesday, the storm was located approximately 85 miles (135 kilometers) southeast of Cameron, Louisiana, and 115 miles (185 kilometers) southeast of Port Arthur, Texas. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 7 mph (11 kph).
Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated that flooding is the primary concern associated with the storm. Forecasters anticipate 3-6 inches (7-15 centimeters) of rain in the greater Houston area, with some locations along the state's upper coast potentially receiving up to 9 inches (22 centimeters). The National Hurricane Center warned that over 4 inches (10 centimeters) of rain could fall per hour, likely causing flash flooding in low-lying and urban areas.
Officials from the Texas Division of Emergency Management expressed readiness for the season's first major storm. Crews worked Monday to clear dry vegetation that could pose a fire risk from lightning strikes. The storm's approach has prompted preparations, including measures to mitigate potential flooding and fire hazards.
In other weather developments, the remnants of Hurricane Dolly brought rain and thunderstorms to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, the Turks & Caicos, and the Bahamas. Meanwhile, in the Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Lowell was moving west and could intensify into a major hurricane by Wednesday. Hurricane Karina, a Category 4 storm far from land, also strengthened Monday but posed no threat to shore.