Tropical Storm Edouard strengthens as it bears down on Louisiana, Texas coasts. Maps show the forecast path.

A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch were in effect Tuesday morning as Tropical Storm Edouard strengthened and made its way toward the U.S. Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center said the storm could bring near-hurricane conditions to parts of Texas and Louisiana later in the day.

Rain and wind were already lashing Port Arthur, Texas, early Tuesday morning, but things were expected to intensify as the day goes on.

The Hurricane Center said in an early morning update that Edouard "could approach hurricane strength before it reaches the northwest Gulf coast later today."

Maps show storm's path and forecast

Strong thunderstorms were expected to bring wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour and to dump heavy rain, with 3 to 6 inches expected across Texas, and some areas possibly getting up to 9.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Texas' Port Bolivar to Louisiana's Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line, according to the hurricane center, which is based in Miami.

A storm surge watch was also in effect for parts of Texas and southwest Louisiana, with the NHC warning coastlines could see water 5 feet above ground level — meaning a risk of major flooding as the system moves inland. 

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

The storm was moving at about 8 mph on a west-northwest path over the Gulf waters early Tuesday morning. 

It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph — just above the minimum speed of 39 mph that officially qualifies it as a tropical storm. 

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