Gusty winds and heavy rainfall from Tropical Depression Edouard continued to lash east Texas on Wednesday, threatening additional flash flooding as the system moves slowly inland, according to the National Hurricane Center.
After making landfall near Johnson Bayou, La., with 60 mph winds on Tuesday afternoon, Edouard has been downgraded to a tropical depression.
Flood watches remain in effect in much of east Texas.
Meanwhile, several storms are continuing to develop in the Pacific during an El Niño that forecasters say could become one of the strongest on record. According to the latest advisories, Hurricane Lowell has intensified to Category 5, and Hurricane Karina remains at Category 4. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Marie is expected to reach hurricane strength tonight.
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Where exactly is Tropical Depression Edouard, and what is its path?
According to the hurricane center’s latest advisory, as of 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday:
Tropical Depression Edouard was located about 35 miles northwest of Lufkin, Texas, and about 100 miles northeast of College Station, Texas.
It had maximum sustained winds of 25 mph.
It was moving north-northwest at 5 mph.
“The depression is moving toward the north-northwest near 5 mph and this motion is expected to continue before Edouard dissipates on Thursday,” the NHC said.
Watches and warnings in effect
Flood watches remain in effect in much of east Texas, and wind advisories remain in effect in a small portion of east Texas near the center of Edouard.
The biggest threats now
While the storm has been downgraded, strong wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph from Edouard may continue near the storm’s center for the next several hours, according to the NHC.
Total rainfall along Edouard’s path is expected to range from 5 to 10 inches, with maximum totals up to 22 inches for inland parts of east-central Texas. This rainfall is likely to produce flash flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas, with significant flash flooding and river flooding possible. In southwest Louisiana, total rainfall will range from 2 to 4 inches.
What’s happening in the Pacific?
Hurricanes Lowell and Karina and Tropical Storm Marie churn across the Pacific on Wednesday.
(NOAA)As Tropical Depression Edouard weakens, three storms are active across the Pacific, sending dangerous surf toward Hawaii, Mexico and, by the weekend, Southern California.
Hurricane Lowell has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane and is expected to remain a major hurricane for several days. It’s located about 445 miles south of Hilo, Hawaii, and is moving west with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Swells generated by the storm are forecast to affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands beginning Wednesday, likely causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Hurricane Karina remains a powerful Category 4 storm about 1,390 miles east of Hilo, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, and the storm poses no hazards to land. “A slow weakening trend is forecast the next few days, followed by a more steady rate of weakening,” according to the NHC. “Karina is likely to remain a hurricane the next couple of days.”
Tropical Storm Marie is strengthening and is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday night. It’s about 380 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, according to the NHC. The system has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and is moving northwest at 12 mph. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect. Storm swells will affect parts of the southwest coast of Mexico and the Baja California peninsula over the next few days and are likely to spread north to Southern California over the weekend, causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
