MIAMI — Tropical Storm Edouard formed Monday evening over the northern Gulf of Mexico and was expected to strengthen before reaching the northwest Gulf Coast on Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
At 7 p.m. CDT Monday, the storm was centered about 140 miles southeast of Cameron, Louisiana, and 175 miles southeast of Port Arthur, Texas. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving west-northwest at 6 mph.
Tropical storm warnings covered portions of the upper Texas and Louisiana coasts. Forecasters said the primary threat would be heavy rain and flash flooding in eastern Texas and southern Louisiana, including the Houston area.
The Brownsville area and the lower Texas coast were outside the tropical storm warning area in the advisory. Residents traveling toward Houston, Port Arthur or southwest Louisiana were encouraged to monitor changing conditions and possible transportation disruptions.
Forecasts can change as a tropical system approaches land. Residents should rely on the National Hurricane Center and local emergency-management agencies for the latest official information.
