A hurricane watch has been issued for parts of the Louisiana and Texas Gulf coasts as Tropical Storm Edouard could come ashore late Tuesday as a strong tropical storm or minimal hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center warned Tuesday that Edouard could rapidly strengthen. As of Tuesday morning, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
Edouard is moving through an area favorable for development, but because the storm is only about 40 miles offshore, it will have limited time to strengthen before landfall. Once ashore, it is expected to weaken quickly.
RELATED STORY | Couple had full insurance and FEMA aid, but still can't rebuild after 2024 hurricanes
Because Edouard is moving slowly, forecasters say it could dump 6 to 12 inches of rain near the Texas-Louisiana border.
A hurricane watch is in effect from High Island, Texas, to Cameron, Louisiana. A tropical storm warning has been issued from Port Bolivar, Texas, to the Vermilion/Iberia Parish line in Louisiana.
Tropical Storm Edouard is the fifth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. None of the season’s first five named storms have reached hurricane strength.
RELATED STORY | Hurricane forecast update: Is the government prepared for the rest of the season?
