Tropical Storm Edouard Causes Flooding and Power Outages in Texas
In Livingston, Texas, authorities rescued dozens from stranded cars and flooded homes Wednesday. This occurred as former Tropical Storm Edouard lingered over rural areas and dumped nearly two feet of rain. Heavy rains from Edouard, now a tropical depression, threatened the eastern state through Thursday morning. The National Weather Service provided this information.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Ocean experienced active tropical weather with three hurricanes churning in open waters.
In Hardin County, Texas, located about 85 miles northeast of Houston, officials reported flooding, downed trees, powerlines, debris, and power outages. These conditions continued to pose hazards. The county received between 18 and 20 inches of rain over two days, while the average monthly rainfall for September is just 5.51 inches. Meteorologist Nick Slaughter confirmed these statistics.
Close to the Louisiana border, schools and municipal offices closed, and residents were advised to stay home.
“Edouard downs trees, floods roads, and leaves drivers stranded,” the Hardin County emergency management office stated.
By Wednesday afternoon, 12 motorists required rescue from flooded roads, and two people needed extraction from a flooded home. Approximately 10 structures endured damage from fallen trees, and thousands remained without power.
In Jefferson County, located 80 miles northeast of Houston, the primary concern was restoring power. Storm conditions with wind gusts up to 90 mph downed trees and limbs. Robert Grimm, the county emergency management coordinator, noted 22,000 customers lacked power, nearly half of the 50,000 affected statewide. Poweroutage.com reported these figures.
Grady Leger recounted that during the storm Tuesday evening, a powerline fell near his home in Lumberton, causing vibrations and sparks igniting a tree.
An assisted living facility suffered damage in Hardin County, leading to the evacuation of 21 people. Texas Parks and Wildlife, with game warden assistance, shared photos showing officials wading through thigh-deep water.
Edouard is expected to dissipate by Thursday.
Three Hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean
Hurricane Marie strengthened into a storm well off southwest Mexico, noted the Miami-based National Hurricane Center. This storm may affect coastal southwestern Mexico and the Baja California peninsula over the coming days. Southern California could experience impacts by the weekend.
Satellite imagery captured three storms: Hurricane Lowell, Hurricane Karina, and Tropical Storm Marie in the Pacific Ocean.
Hurricane Lowell, a Category 4 storm, changed from a Category 5 before weakening. It’s located hundreds of miles south of Hawaii, expected to persist powerfully for several days. Swells from Lowell will likely impact the Hawaiian islands.
Regarding Marie and Lowell, swells will “likely cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” stated the center.
Elsewhere, Hurricane Karina grew into a Category 4 storm, forecasted to weaken in the coming days.