Nicholas struck the Texas coast as a category one hurricane early today; while it has been downgraded to a tropical storm, it is set to bring epic rains and more flooding to portions of the Texas and Louisiana coasts.

A wide area of 6-10″ of rain is expected across much of southern Louisiana over the next 72 hours, bringing more flooding woes to areas still not only recovering from Hurricane Ida just weeks ago, but from 2020’s violent hurricane season. Some portions of the Louisiana coast could also see isolated amounts of 10-15″ additional rain.

Heavy rainfall will impact areas from the upper coast of Texas, across Louisiana, southern Mississippi and far southern Alabama through the middle of the week. Significant rainfall amounts are expected, potentially resulting in areas of life-threatening flash and urban flooding across these areas. According to the National Hurricane Center, minor to isolated major river flooding is also possible in smaller river basins and urban areas.

There continues to be  the danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation along the coast of Texas from Sargent to Sabine Pass. While the hurricane made landfall and is now inland as a tropical storm, it will take time for storm surge to completely recede.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in Tropical Storm Warning area along the Texas coast today and along the southwestern Louisiana coast by afternoon.