Tropical Storm Edouard Downgrades, Brings Severe Weather to Texas

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Former Tropical Storm Edouard weakened into a depression on Tuesday night, delivering significant rainfall and strong winds across Texas. This resulted in power outages, tree collapses, and road flooding. The storm, which made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph), was expected to continue weakening as it moved inland. However, ongoing heavy rains and potential flooding were anticipated into Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

In the Pacific, tropical weather activity persisted with three named storms in progress.

Edouard was predicted to produce 3 to 7 inches (8 to 17 centimeters) of rain, with some areas possibly experiencing up to 12 inches (30 centimeters). As the center of the storm passed over Beaumont, Texas, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Houston, city offices were closed, and the Texas Office of Emergency Management advised residents to remain indoors. Beaumont faced challenges like downed trees, non-operational traffic signals, and flooded underpasses as reported by the local police.

A storm damaged G.I. Surplus store in Beaumont, Texas.

According to poweroutage.com, about 32,000 customers in Jefferson County, including Beaumont, lost electricity. Mike Gilbert, owner of a surf shop on Texas’ Crystal Beach, opted to close his store ahead of the storm. Despite initial concerns, the area only experienced gray skies and drizzling rain when Edouard made landfall 60 miles (96 kilometers) northeast of his shop.

In Cameron, Louisiana, winds intensified by Tuesday morning, with intermittent rain. Connor Salvador, owner of an RV park near the coast, expressed minimal concern over potential flooding due to familiarity with similar storms.

On the Pacific Ocean front, newly formed Hurricane Lowell was predicted to remain far from Hawaii but was likely to cause increased surf and hazardous beach and marine conditions starting Wednesday. Andrew Hagan from the National Hurricane Center warned about these developments.

Tropical Storm Marie emerged off southwest Mexico, predicted to turn into a hurricane by Wednesday night. Swells from this storm were expected to affect southwestern Mexico and the Baja California peninsula. Meanwhile, Karina, another Pacific storm, had strengthened into a powerful Category 4 hurricane on Monday but was anticipated to weaken, per forecasters on Tuesday.