The National Hurricane Center has upgraded a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of America to Tropical Storm Arthur, with the system making its way northeastward along the Texas coastline and expected to move inland over southwestern Louisiana later today.
As of the National Hurricane Center’s 10 a.m. CDT advisory Wednesday, Arthur was located about 40 miles northeast of Port O’Connor, Texas, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and moving northeast at 9 mph.
While Arthur is not expected to become a strong tropical storm, forecasters are warning that the system’s greatest threat will be widespread heavy rainfall and potentially life-threatening flooding across portions of the Gulf Coast and Deep South.
Forecasters say Tropical Storm Arthur could bring 5 to 10 inches of rainfall, with isolated amounts approaching 20 inches, through early Friday.
Areas expected to receive the heaviest rainfall include:
- Coastal and inland portions of Texas
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- Western Georgia
- The Florida Panhandle
The National Hurricane Center warns that the excessive rainfall could trigger dangerous flash flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
For Mississippi residents, Arthur’s forecast track places much of the state within the region expected to receive significant rainfall over the next several days.
Tropical Storm Warnings in Effect
A Tropical Storm Warning is currently in effect from High Island, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 12 hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect from Sargent, Texas, to High Island, Texas, where tropical storm conditions remain possible.
Beyond heavy rain, Arthur is expected to bring several other weather threats:
Tropical storm-force winds extend up to 175 miles from the center of the storm. Gusty winds could cause downed tree limbs and isolated power outages, particularly near the Gulf Coast.
Coastal areas from Port Bolivar, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana, could experience storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above ground level, especially near and east of where the center moves ashore.
The National Hurricane Center says a few tornadoes may develop through Thursday across portions of:
- Upper Texas
- Southern Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- Western Florida Panhandle
Beachgoers along the northwestern Gulf Coast are being urged to stay alert for hazardous surf conditions and life-threatening rip currents generated by Arthur.
Looking Ahead
Forecasters expect Arthur to continue moving northeast and eventually weaken after moving inland. The system could dissipate by late tonight or early Thursday, but its impacts are expected to continue well after the center weakens due to the widespread heavy rainfall.
Residents across the Gulf Coast and southeastern United States are encouraged to monitor updates from the National Hurricane Center and local National Weather Service offices, and be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions over the next several days.
Comments