With Tropical Storm Edouard forecasted to strengthen off the Gulf Coast, a severe weather alert and flood watch is presently in effect for Houston through Wednesday morning.
As of 7 AM CDT, per the National Hurricane Center, Edouard is located about 70 miles off Port Arthur, moving northwest with sustained winds of 40 mph. NHC expects the storm to strengthen substantially before making landfall along the northwestern Gulf Coast later today.
For the greater Houston area, the primary threat of the tropical storm is heavy rain and flash flooding.
The National Weather Service indicates that heavy rainfall will inundate the city beginning this morning and running into the night. Forecasts indicate Houston can expect 3 to 6 inches of rain near the Interstate 45 corridor. However, isolated areas east of I-45 could see localized totals up to 9 inches. Sources indicate that areas east of Interstate 45 will experience the brunt of rain, flooding, and stronger gusts.
The National Weather Service has placed greater Houston under a slight risk for flash flooding through Wednesday, urging residents to avoid driving through flooded roadways
Meteorologists predict that Houston will experience moderately elevated, gusty winds, with the more sustained tropical-storm-force winds expected to stay primarily southeast of the city, near Chambers County, Bolivar, High Island, and Texas-Louisiana border. Because of this, widespread power outages are not anticipated within the Houston metro and its surrounding suburbs.
Areas southeast of the city remain at risk for coastal flooding and storm surge. Minor storm surge could push water inland during high tide, particularly in low-lying coastal communities near Galveston Bay and the Bolivar Peninsula.
All told, Houston should prepare for a short-duration but potentially high-impact flooding event today through Wednesday morning: avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain, never drive through flooded roads, monitor local alerts, and move vehicles away from flood-prone streets or garages if possible.
