Tropical Storm Arthur formed Wednesday along the Gulf Coast, bringing a multiday threat of heavy rain, flash flooding, storm surge, dangerous surf and possible tornadoes.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Tropical Storm Arthur formed Wednesday, becoming the first tropical cyclone of the Atlantic hurricane season after days of disorganized storms along the Gulf Coast.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Arthur was a weak and short-lived tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. Forecasters expected little change in strength before the system dissipates Wednesday night or early Thursday.
The primary danger from Arthur is flooding, not wind.
National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan said flash flood warnings were already being issued in the Houston metro area Wednesday, with more warnings likely across the region even after the storm’s center moves away.
“The main threat from Arthur is going to be a prolonged, multiday, heavy rainfall event that could produce dangerous to life threatening flash flooding,” Brennan said.
The storm was positioned over coastal Texas on the same day Houston hosted a World Cup match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The stadium is covered, and officials did not announce plans to move or reschedule the match.
Authorities in Texas reported that a teenager appeared to have drowned Tuesday evening in a flooded retention pond outside Houston.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said a group of teenagers were playing near a construction zone and adjacent retention pond when a 15-year-old boy entered the water. Rescue workers later found his body using sonar technology after an extensive search.
“This incident serves as a solemn reminder of the dangers associated with floodwaters, particularly following periods of heavy rainfall,” the sheriff’s office said.
Forecasters said flooding is likely through Friday in parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.
Arthur is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated higher totals near 20 inches. The National Hurricane Center said storm surge combined with the tide could push water inland and flood normally dry areas near the coast.
Swells generated by Arthur are also expected to create life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the northwestern Gulf Coast for the next couple of days.
Tornadoes are possible through Thursday.
As of Wednesday morning, the center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located about 40 miles east-northeast of Port O’Connor, Texas, according to an advisory. The storm was moving northeast at about 9 mph, and forecasters expected its forward speed to increase.
Although Arthur is not expected to become a strong storm, officials emphasized that its slow-moving rainfall could remain hazardous across several Gulf Coast and Southeastern states.
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