Tropical Storm Edouard is battering the US Gulf Coast with intense rainfall, as officials warn residents to brace for flooding, tornadoes and life-threatening storm surge.
The strengthening storm started coming ashore in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, shortly after 2pm ET on Tuesday and is expected to track into southeastern Texas by tonight.
Across the region, millions are facing a hazardous day marked by flooded streets, disrupted travel, power outages and the risk of sudden tornadoes.
Forecasters said storm surge may drive water levels up to eight feet in the most vulnerable coastal areas near Port Arthur, Texas, and along the Louisiana border.
At the same time, persistent bands of thunderstorms could bring as much as 20 inches of rain to isolated spots by Wednesday, threatening to overwhelm drainage systems and leave low-lying communities cut off.
A tropical storm warning is in effect from Port Bolivar, Texas, to the Vermilion-Cameron Parish line in Louisiana, while a storm surge warning extends along the coast from High Island to Cameron.
Houston is expected to remain west of the worst of the storm’s strongest winds and heaviest rain, but the metro area and nearby communities could still see heavy downpours and treacherous road conditions.
Edouard is forecast to lose strength after moving inland, though the dangers from flooding and tornadoes could linger for several hours after landfall.
Tropical Storm Edouard is slamming into the US Gulf Coast, unleashing torrential rain as officials warn of flooding, tornadoes and a dangerous storm surge
A surge of three to six feet is forecast across much of that area, while AccuWeather warned that water could reach a Local StormMax of eight feet in isolated locations.
Farther east along the Louisiana coast, forecasters expect a lower, but still potentially dangerous, surge of one to three feet.
Storm surge occurs when powerful winds push seawater inland, raising water levels along the coast and flooding roads, homes and businesses.
The threat becomes particularly dangerous around bays, rivers and other waterways where rising water can move well beyond the immediate shoreline.
Edouard’s heavy rain could prove even more disruptive because the storm is moving slowly, allowing bands of thunderstorms to pass repeatedly over the same communities.
A broad area of one to two inches of rain is forecast along the Louisiana coast and into eastern Texas through Wednesday.
However, totals of two to eight inches are expected across the upper Texas coast, with a smaller corridor east of Houston potentially receiving eight to 12 inches.
AccuWeather said the highest isolated total could reach 20 inches where thunderstorms repeatedly track over the same location.
The strengthening system began making landfall in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, on Tuesday just after 2pm ET and is forecast to push into southeastern Texas by the evening
Even areas receiving far less rain could experience street flooding because intense downpours can overwhelm storm drains within minutes.
Water may rapidly collect on roads and in underpasses, creating dangerous conditions for motorists and potentially disrupting Tuesday’s evening commute.
Drivers could encounter sharply reduced visibility, stranded vehicles and roads that appear passable before suddenly becoming submerged.
Gusty winds are also capable of bringing down tree limbs and causing sporadic power outages, although damaging winds are not expected to be as widespread as they would be during a major hurricane.
Forecasters are additionally warning of waterspouts and isolated tornadoes, particularly within Edouard’s eastern and northeastern bands. That danger may continue for several hours after the storm’s center has crossed the coast.
AccuWeather has rated Edouard a one on its RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes in the US because of the combined threat from flooding rain, storm surge, gusty winds and tornadoes.
Unlike the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which categorizes storms solely by their maximum sustained winds, the RealImpact scale also considers flooding, coastal inundation, economic damage and potential loss of life.
Edouard marks the third time this hurricane season that the region has faced direct tropical impacts.
Tropical Storm Arthur struck Texas in June, followed by Tropical Storm Bertha’s Louisiana landfall in July.
Some rain will benefit areas experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions, but the most intense bands could deliver too much water too quickly.
Although Edouard will steadily lose strength over land, forecasters warned that residents should not assume the danger ends at landfall.
Floodwater, coastal inundation and tornadoes can remain deadly even after the storm’s winds begin to weaken.
