Tropical storm warning issued along Louisiana and Texas coasts

A developing system in the Gulf of Mexico prompted tropical storm warnings along parts of the Texas and Louisiana coasts on Monday, with forecasters watching for heavy rain, flooding and storm surge.

The National Hurricane Center designated it Potential Tropical Cyclone Five, the fifth system of its kind to form during the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. If it continues to strengthen, it will receive the name Tropical Storm Edouard.

The warning area stretches from Port Bolivar in southeastern Texas to the Vermilion-Cameron parish line in southwestern Louisiana. The latest forecast indicated that the system could reach the Gulf Coast by Tuesday, with tropical-storm conditions possible within 24 to 36 hours.

Forecasters projected 3 to 6 inches of rain across parts of coastal Texas and inland areas of east-central Texas, with isolated totals of up to 9 inches. Southwestern Louisiana could receive 2 to 3 inches. The hurricane center warned that the rainfall could cause flash flooding, particularly in low-lying and urban areas, while coastal locations could see storm surge of up to 3 feet.

The system was moving slowly westward Monday morning. Forecasters located it about 130 miles from Morgan City, Louisiana, and 230 miles from Port Arthur, Texas. Its maximum sustained winds reached 35 mph, just below the 39 mph threshold for tropical-storm status, and forecasters expected some strengthening over the following day.

“

Could produce flash flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas.