Tropical Storm Edouard nears landfall

Tropical Storm Edouard was creeping toward landfall near Sabine Pass, Texas, as of Tuesday early afternoon, with the chance for strengthening over the Gulf before landfall running out.(CN) — Tropical Storm Edouard is inching toward the Louisiana and Texas coasts and expected to make landfall shortly near Sabine Pass, Texas.As of midday Tuesday, Edouard was about 20 miles southwest of Cameron, Louisiana, and about 30 miles east-southeast of Port Arthur, Texas. Sustained winds were nearing 50 mph, according to the hurricane center.There remains almost no chance that Edouard could briefly become a hurricane, as was predicted earlier in the day.Edouard is still bringing the risk of strong winds and potential flooding, with heavy rain expected and a possible storm surge of up to five feet.The storm is creeping northwest at 8 mph, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that are forecast to continue through the end of the day Wednesday.Several Houston school districts canceled classes for the day in advance of the storm.Officials issued hurricane watch and storm surge warnings Tuesday for parts of the coast, from southeast Texas to southwest Louisiana.A hurricane watch means winds at 74 mph or higher are possible.Edouard formed in the Gulf and was identified as a tropical depression Monday before upgrading to a tropical storm that evening. Warm Gulf waters are favorable for storms, leading to concerns Edouard would grow.The National Hurricane Center warned of the possibility of “significant strengthening” Tuesday morning, with the potential of Edouard becoming a hurricane before landfall, but the likelihood of that diminished as the storm neared the coast.“Environmental and oceanic conditions are conducive to additional strengthening for as long as the center remains offshore,” the hurricane center said in a 10 a.m. CT update.This triggered a hurricane and storm surge watch from High Island, Texas, to Cameron, Louisiana. The storm would rapidly lessen in intensity once it made landfall.Edouard is the fifth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic season.Categories / National, WeatherSubscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads