← Latest briefing

Environment & Climate

Tropical Depression Edouard causes flash flooding and power outages across southeast Texas

Weakening after making landfall along the Texas-Louisiana border, the storm brought up to 21 inches of rain, leaving tens of thousands without electricity.

The short version

  • Edouard weakened into a tropical depression after making landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border with 60 mph sustained winds.
  • Up to 21 inches of rainfall triggered dangerous flash flooding, road closures, and stranded motorists in southeast Texas communities.
  • Approximately 75,000 utility customers lost power across at least eight counties as schools and municipal offices closed.
  • The system is expected to dissipate Wednesday night as emergency officials continue to monitor floodwaters.

Key facts

  • Edouard made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph before weakening into a tropical depression.[Associated Press]
  • Rainfall totals reached between 10 and 21 inches within hours in areas northwest of Beaumont, Texas.[Associated Press]
  • According to PowerOutage.us data cited by reporting, roughly 75,000 customers were without electricity across at least eight counties on Wednesday morning.[Associated Press]
  • A weather station in Port Arthur recorded a wind gust of 90 mph during the storm.[Associated Press]
  • Forecasters anticipated the tropical depression would dissipate by Wednesday night as it continued north.[Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • The total extent of property damage and infrastructure repair timelines remains unclear as floodwaters recede.[Associated Press]

Sources