Edouard weakens to depression as heavy rain hits southeastern Texas

Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall on Louisiana’s coast Tuesday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center said. 

Edouard had maximum sustained winds of about 60 mph when it made landfall near Johnson Bayou, Louisiana, close to the border with Texas, at 2:20 p.m. Central Time, the hurricane center said. Those winds had dropped to 45 mph by evening. 

Earlier, forecasters warned that the storm could bring near-hurricane conditions to some areas along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Maps show storm’s path and forecast

A tropical storm warning remained in effect from High Island, Texas, to Cameron, Louisiana, but was discontinued for other areas nearby, the hurricane center said in its latest update.  

After making landfall, Edouard moved inland along the northwestern Gulf Coast, bringing gusty winds and heavy rainfall across southeastern Texas.

Strong thunderstorms were expected to bring powerful wind gusts and dump heavy rain, with 3 to 6 inches possible along the Texas coast and inland, and some areas could get up to 9 inches. 

A hurricane watch and storm surge watch that had been issued earlier were discontinued Tuesday, but the hurricane center still warned that coastlines could see rising water levels and possible flooding.

Forecasters warned heavy rain in both states “could produce flash flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas.”

Texas, Louisiana residents ride out the storm

As Edouard stormed ashore along the Texas-Louisiana border,  many residents decided to stay put and ride out the storm, but some chose to seek shelter elsewhere.

“You can’t stay in a travel trailer, an RV, because the wind gusts can knock you over,” Karen Cauthen, a Port Arthur, Texas, resident, told CBS News. “It doesn’t make sense to me.”

Edouard’s winds also whipped at homes in Holly Beach, Louisiana, an area that has taken a beating from several tropical storms over the last few years.

The storm is forecast to rapidly weaken and dissipate by Wednesday night.

Edouard is the fifth tropical storm so far during the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.