Hurricanes

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Hurricane threat looms for Texas-Louisiana coast

Satellite view of Edouard and its lightning on Monday evening. (CIRA/CSU & NOAA)

Tropical Storm Edouard is closing in on the Gulf Coast and is forecast to make landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border today.

A hurricane watch is in effect for multiple communities as the fast-developing storm could bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds capable of toppling trees and causing power outages. Edouard is then expected to move inland over southeastern Texas tonight and rapidly weaken.

September is typically the peak of Atlantic hurricane season, when ocean temperatures are at their warmest and conditions are most favorable for storms to form and strengthen. This year, however, El Niño is helping suppress hurricane activity and is a key reason forecasters have called for a quieter year overall. But dangerous storms can still develop, making it all the more important for people in hurricane-prone areas to stay prepared through the fall.

+ Read more: Hurricane watch in effect as Tropical Storm Edouard’s rainbands sweep ashore in Louisiana

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• 🌀 The National Hurricane Center warns that Tropical Storm Edouard could become a hurricane by tomorrow as it is expected to make landfall in Texas and Louisiana. Get the latest.

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Hawaii hunkers down

Hawaii is bracing for the worst of Hurricane Lowell, with the storm expected to make its closest approach to the islands early today. Lowell is forecast to remain offshore and weaken, but its expanding wind field could bring tropical storm-force winds to the western islands, while more than a foot of rain in some areas raises the risk of dangerous flash flooding and mudslides. Lowell is the third storm in just over three weeks to target Hawaii as El Niño supercharges the Pacific hurricane season. A hurricane warning is in effect for the islands of Kauai and Niihau.

+ Read more: Hurricane Lowell lashing Hawaii with flooding rain and massive waves

+ Video: Meteorologist explains Hurricane Lowell’s path   Hurricane Lowell expected to pass near one Hawaiian island and cause major rains statewide Hawaii Gov. Josh Green closed schools and government offices on the westernmost islands of Kauai and Niihau and on Oahu for Tuesday as Hurricane Lowell was expected to pass nearby, bringing damaging winds, mudslides, possible tornadoes, dangerous rip currents and as much as 24 inches (about 60 centimeters) of rain to some areas on Kauai. https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-lowell-hawaii-schools-516235ba1cedaa7256de8d893c36a752?