Tropical Storm Edouard approaches Texas-Louisiana coast with flood threat

Tropical Storm Edouard was moving toward the Texas-Louisiana coast on Tuesday, September 1, with forecasters warning of heavy rain, storm surge and possible flash flooding.

The storm was about 40 miles south-southeast of Cameron, Louisiana, and 70 miles southeast of Port Arthur, Texas, early Tuesday. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving west-northwest at 8 mph, according to information attributed to the US National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters expected Edouard to strengthen before making landfall in Texas later Tuesday, with hurricane-force intensity possible. Tropical-storm warnings, hurricane watches, storm-surge warnings and flood watches were issued for parts of the western Gulf Coast.

Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches were forecast along the Texas coast and into east-central Texas, with isolated amounts of up to 9 inches. Lower totals were expected in southwestern Louisiana. Low-lying and urban areas faced the greatest flash-flood risk.

Texas officials said flooding was the principal concern and that emergency preparations were under way. Edouard is the first major storm threat of the season for the state.