Tropical Storm Edouard weakened to a tropical depression Tuesday night after making landfall along the Texas-Louisiana border, but the storm continued to bring heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, and widespread power outages to southeast Texas.
The National Hurricane Center said Edouard came ashore near the Texas-Louisiana line with maximum sustained winds of about 60 mph. Although the system was losing strength as it moved inland, forecasters warned that significant rainfall and flooding could continue through Wednesday.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had warned residents ahead of the storm that flooding posed the greatest threat, particularly in low-lying and urban areas. Forecasters cautioned that rainfall rates could exceed 4 inches per hour in some locations, creating the potential for dangerous flash flooding.
Heavy Rain and Flooding Continue
The hurricane center forecast between 3 and 7 inches of rain across portions of southeast Texas, with isolated totals reaching as much as 12 inches.
As Edouard moved inland, Beaumont experienced some of the storm’s most noticeable effects. City offices were closed, while emergency officials urged residents to avoid traveling unless necessary.
Beaumont police reported trees down across roadways, malfunctioning traffic signals and flooded underpasses. Officials warned that hazardous conditions could persist as additional rainfall moved through the region.
Thousands Lose Power
The storm also disrupted electrical service across southeast Texas.
About 32,000 customers in Jefferson County, which includes Beaumont, were without power, the Associated Press reported. The outages followed strong winds and falling trees across the area.
Residents were urged to remain cautious around damaged roads, downed trees, and areas without functioning traffic signals.
Storm Brings Threat Beyond the Coast
Although Edouard weakened after reaching land, the system remained capable of producing dangerous weather well after landfall.
Forecasters expected the storm to gradually weaken as it traveled farther inland, but its tropical moisture continued feeding heavy rainfall across parts of eastern and southeastern Texas. The combination of saturated ground, intense downpours, and poor drainage raised the risk of additional flash flooding.
The storm’s effects were particularly concerning in urban areas, where heavy rainfall can quickly overwhelm drainage systems.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning on Wednesday morning until 11:45 a.m. for northern Liberty County and Polk County in southeast Texas.
Meteorologist Avery Tomasco reported on social media that the storm had slowed its movement, with “extreme rainfall rates parked over the same areas which have already seen 12-16″ of rain this morning with much more to come.”
Lone Star Storm Trackers reported an estimated 17.55 inches of storm-total accumulation near the Warren-Lumberton area, north of Beaumont.
Residents Urged To Stay Off Roads
Emergency officials continued urging residents in affected areas to avoid unnecessary travel. Flooded underpasses and blocked roads can become dangerous quickly, while downed trees and damaged traffic signals create additional hazards for motorists.
With more rain expected, officials encouraged residents to monitor local weather alerts and follow instructions from emergency authorities.
Edouard was expected to continue weakening as it moved farther inland, but forecasters said the threat of heavy rain and flooding would remain even after the system lost tropical-storm strength.
Edouard Will Have Little Effect on North Texas
Tropical Depression Edouard is unlikely to significantly impact North Texas. The NWS forecasts a 10% chance of showers on Wednesday and a 30% chance on Thursday in the region, with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s. Over the Labor Day Weekend, skies will be clear and sunny, with highs hovering around 99 degrees.
