JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Life-threatening flooding is expected across portions of the Southeastern United States from Tropical Storm Arthur, which formed Wednesday morning near the middle Texas coast.
As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, the center of Tropical Storm Arthur was about 190 miles west-southwest of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Arthur is moving toward the northeast near 9 mph and an increase in forward speed is expected today.
On the forecast track, the low pressure area should move northeastward along the Texas coast today and then move inland over southwestern Louisiana by tonight.
Surface observations and data from the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph with higher gusts.
Little change in strength is expected before the center moves over land. Weakening is anticipated once the low moves inland, and it could dissipate by tonight or early Thursday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. NOAA buoy 42035 east of Galveston recently reported a sustained wind of 38 mph and a gust of 43 mph. The Scholes International Airport (KGLS) in Galveston recently reported a wind gust of 48 mph.
The minimum central pressure based on surface observations is 1001 mb (29.56 inches).
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for High Island, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Sargent, Texas, to High Island, Texas.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within 24 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area within 12-24 hours.