ORLANDO, Fla. – A disorganized area of low pressure hugging the Middle Texas coast is bringing dangerous flooding concerns to parts of the Gulf Coast, regardless of development.
5AM UPDATE
As of Wednesday morning, Potential Tropical Cyclone One was located just southwest of Port O’Connor, Texas, with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. The system is moving northeast along the Texas coastline and is expected to move inland over eastern Texas or southwestern Louisiana Wednesday afternoon.
While there is still a small window for the system to briefly strengthen into a tropical storm, development is becoming less likely.
The National Hurricane Center says the low may never officially become a tropical system before weakening and dissipating by early Thursday.
IMPACTS
Regardless of whether it develops into Arthur, the impacts will be significant.
The biggest concern is heavy rainfall and life threatening flash flooding from the Upper Texas Coast eastward through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, western Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle.
Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches are expected through early Friday, with isolated amounts approaching 20 inches possible in some locations.
Tropical storm warnings remain in effect from Sabine Pass, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana, where tropical storm conditions are expected Wednesday.
A few tornadoes could develop through Thursday across southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle.