Tropical Storm Edouard is making landfall along the northwestern Gulf Coast Tuesday afternoon, bringing tropical storm-force winds, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding to portions of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.
The center of Edouard was located just offshore near the Texas-Louisiana border Tuesday afternoon, with the National Hurricane Center expecting the center to cross the coastline shortly.
As of the latest advisory, Edouard had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph with higher gusts and was moving northwest at approximately 8 mph.
For us here in South Florida, Edouard continues to pose no threat to Palm Beach County, the Treasure Coast or anywhere in Florida.
Edouard Reaches the Gulf Coast
Edouard strengthened as it approached the coastline Tuesday, taking advantage of the very warm waters of the Gulf.
The storm remains relatively compact. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward only about 25 miles from the center, meaning the strongest winds will be concentrated close to where the center crosses the coastline.
Tropical storm conditions are already spreading across portions of the northwestern Gulf Coast.
A weather station at Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana, recently measured sustained winds of 44 mph with a gust of 52 mph.
Once the center moves inland, Edouard is expected to weaken rapidly.
Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding the Biggest Concern
While the wind is certainly getting attention, heavy rainfall and flash flooding will likely be Edouard’s most significant threat.
The National Hurricane Center is forecasting 3 to 6 inches of rainfall from portions of the Upper Texas Coast inland through east-central Texas.
Isolated locations could receive as much as 9 inches of rain.
Far southwestern Louisiana could receive approximately 2 to 4 inches.
The combination of tropical moisture and intense rainfall rates could quickly overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in urban and low-lying areas.
Flash flooding is possible, and some river flooding could also develop.
Even after Edouard’s winds begin weakening Tuesday night, the flooding threat could continue as tropical moisture moves farther inland.
Coastal Flooding Remains a Concern
Edouard is also pushing Gulf water toward the coastline.
Water levels could reach approximately 1 to 3 feet above normally dry ground from High Island, Texas, to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish line in Louisiana.
The greatest coastal flooding will occur near and immediately to the right of where Edouard’s center crosses the coastline.
The exact water level will depend on the timing of the storm surge relative to the normal tidal cycle.
Large waves on top of the elevated water could also produce beach erosion and dangerous conditions along the coastline.
Tropical Storm Warnings Remain in Effect
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect from Port Bolivar, Texas, eastward to the Vermilion/Iberia Parish line in Louisiana.
Tropical storm conditions are spreading across portions of that warning area as Edouard moves inland.
The Hurricane Watch that had previously been issued has been discontinued.
Isolated Tornado Threat
As with many landfalling tropical systems, there’s also a risk of isolated tornadoes.
The National Hurricane Center says a tornado or two will be possible Tuesday afternoon and evening across portions of southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas.
Tropical cyclone tornadoes can develop quickly within individual rain bands and are often difficult to see because they’re embedded within heavy rainfall.
Edouard Will Weaken Quickly After Landfall
Once Edouard moves completely inland, weakening should happen rapidly.
Tropical cyclones get their energy from warm ocean water. Once that source of heat and moisture is removed, the storm’s circulation will begin breaking down.
However, a weakening tropical storm can still produce significant flooding.
Edouard’s moisture will continue moving inland across Texas, meaning heavy rainfall could persist well after the system loses tropical storm status.
No Impact to South Florida
For those of us in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, Edouard remains a distant weather story.
There will be no direct impacts from Edouard in South Florida.
The system developed over the western Gulf and has remained on a track toward Texas and Louisiana throughout its short life cycle.
Our local South Florida weather will continue to be controlled by our typical late-summer pattern rather than Edouard.
Edouard Is the Fifth Named Storm of the Season
Edouard became the fifth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season Monday evening after Tropical Depression Five strengthened over the Gulf.
Its formation comes as we’re entering the most active time of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Historically, tropical activity increases substantially from late August into September, with the climatological peak of hurricane season occurring around September 10.
That means even as Edouard moves inland and weakens, we’ll continue watching the remainder of the Atlantic Basin closely.