Edouard Brings Rain, High Winds to Southeast Texas

Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall in Southeast Texas this morning between High Island, just east of Galveston, and Port Arthur, near the Louisiana border.

The National Hurricane Center had expected the rapidly developing, fast moving storm to increase in strength, attaining hurricane status before it made landfall but wind speed associated with the storm remained below 74 mph, the minimum for categorization as a hurricane.

Maximum sustained winds of 60 mph with gusts of 70 mph have been reported. At 10 a.m. the center of Tropical Storm Edouard was located about 40 miles west of Port Arthur and about 45 miles north-northeast of Galveston and moving west-northwest at 15 mph, the National Hurricane Center reported. Tropical force winds extend out 70 miles from the storm center.

Edouard is expected to produce total rain accumulations of three to five inches in some southwestern Louisiana coastal parishes and southeastern Texas. Isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches are possible over portions of southeastern Texas.

Heavy rains and flooding are expected in Houston today, and officials warned that the storm could produce tornadoes in the area as well.

Edouard is expected to follow a west-northwest track through central Texas.