Tropical Storm Edouard remnants not done with Texas

As Edouard moved inland through Texas, it carved out a noticeable temperature drop in the shape of the storm. 

While a majority of the central U.S. is under extreme heat, this cool air is quite the contrast. In the map below, the difference in the temperatures compared to average is plotted, clearly showing a region of cooler than average temperatures surrounded by above average warmth. 

This appears in the exact path of Edouard. As it moved through the region, it pulled in moisture and noticeably dropped temperatures.

Floods have swamped roads across Polk County, Texas, and TV station KPRC was there as teams with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office rescued a woman and four children trapped in a mobile home.

That rescue was happening in the city of Livingston, where some creeks have overflowed and floodwaters got about waist-deep.

According to radar estimates, parts of southeastern Polk County have picked up over 12 inches of rain, so far.

When Edouard made landfall yesterday, it came ashore right into an ongoing heat dome across the central and eastern U.S. This is typically a slower-moving weather pattern when it sets up. 

In this case, think of the heat dome as a catcher’s mitt and Edouard as a ball. Edouard won’t move a ton over the next day and will gradually just fall apart. 

In the meantime, Edouard is producing very heavy rain. NOAA has issued a “high risk” of flash flooding through today centered north of Houston and Beaumont, Texas. Up to 21 inches has already fallen in that area.

After Edouard, there doesn’t appear to be anything imminent for tropical development in the Atlantic Basin the next several days, even as we head toward the average peak of the season in the second week of September.

So, the wait continues for the season’s first Atlantic hurricane, and it appears increasingly likely we’ll set a new record long wait, due in large part to the intensifying El Niño’s influence on the weather pattern. 

In the satellite era, the latest date of the season’s first hurricane was on Sept. 11, both in 2002 and 2013.  

The track map of the season, so far, is quite telling. If it wasn’t for the northern Gulf’s three storms, it would look even more incredibly void.

The number of homes and businesses without power in southeast Texas has been slowly increasing over the last few hours.

Earlier, we told you the total was around 71,000, now the reported total from PowerOutage.us is more than 76,000.

The highest number of outages are in Jefferson, Hardin and Polk counties.

People across Port Arthur, Texas, complained about a strong stench of gas across the city in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Edouard last night.

Police closed a highway leading to gas plants in the city as they investigated the reports.

Port Arthur experienced some of the strongest winds reported in the storm (90 mph gust), and local reports say the Valero Refinery did have a power outage on Tuesday, although Valero has not been confirmed as the source of the odor.

The City of Port Arthur said air monitoring did not detect any levels that required protective measures.  While the odor has since dissipated, the city said crews are still investigating what happened.

Port Arthur is in Jefferson County, where more than 27,000 customers are still without power this morning.

Flooding can develop quickly, but knowing the warning signs and understanding important weather alerts could save your life. Meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser not only breaks down the difference between a flood watch, a flash flood warning and a flash flood emergency; she also shares critical tips everyone should know before the water even starts rising. Watch the video here

We’ve mentioned throughout how small Tropical Storm Edouard was. Another way to see that is from its rainfall. 

The map below shows its heaviest rain — from 6 to 17 inches — has fallen primarily over parts of five eastern Texas counties, particularly Hardin, Tyler and Polk Counties.

Meanwhile, relatively little rain has fallen over the Houston metro area, with most major reporting stations tallying less than a half inch. 

That doesn’t mean Houston is completely out of the woods for any additional outer rainbands that could form. But it is a sigh of relief for one of America’s most flood-prone cities.

Edouard’s remnants have pushed inland over Texas and continue to drop heavy rainfall over the state. While the storm has cleared the Houston metro area, some locations between Houston and Dallas are receiving torrential rainfall. 

The Texas Department of Public Safety just announced that offices in the following counties will be closed today:

Orange County

Jefferson County

Chambers County

Liberty County

Offices in Polk County will open at 10 a.m. CDT.

As Edouard made its way on shore yesterday, it brought tropical storm force winds to Texas. Here are some of the preliminary highest recorded wind gusts. 

Port Arthur, TX: 90 mph 

Texas Point, TX: 71 mph 

Nederland, TX: 67 mph 

Beaumont, TX: 67 mph 

Groves, TX: 61 mph

Fannett, TX: 60 mph

Check out this really cool visual — in the X post below from The Weather Channel’s Jordan Steele, you can easily see Edouard near the Texas coast and the massive, sprawling heat dome swirling over the Southeast yesterday afternoon:

Even more interesting is the fact that this heat dome is helping to steer Edouard’s remnants.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency for portions of Texas, including Lumberson, Kountze, Wildwood, Saratoga, Warren, Honey Island, Village Mills and Batson. 

If you are in any of these areas, seek higher ground now. This is a very dangerous and life-threatening situation. 

A flash flood emergency is the highest level of flood warning the NWS issues. The warning states that there has been anywhere from 10 to 21 inches of rain that has fallen in the area, and more rain is falling. Rainfall rates could be as high as 1 to 5 inches per hour, therefore, do not attempt to drive in the area and seek higher ground immediately.

About 71,000 customers in southeast Texas are without power right now, with Jefferson County reporting the highest number of outages, according to PowerOutage.us:

Jefferson County: 28,566

Hardin County: 16,605

Polk County: 8,274

Orange County: 8,229

Tyler County: 7,610

Liberty County: 1,228

San Jacinto County: 407

San Augustine County: 142

Parts of Texas and Louisiana remain under a significant flood threat today, as heavy rain from Edouard’s remnants continues to fall. 

The Weather Prediction Center has highlighted an area that covers parts of Texas and Louisiana for excessive rainfall. The area highlighted in red has the greatest risk for flooding. 

Rainfall rates could be as high as 2 to 3 inches per hour at times.

School officials are putting safety first across multiple school districts in the Houston metro area. Classes have been canceled today in the districts of Conroe and Willis; other districts announced 2-hour delays including Shepherd, Livingston and Coldspring-Oakhurst. We'll bring you more on any school closures as they're announced.