Tropical Storm Edouard strengthens as it nears Louisiana, Texas coasts

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Tropical Storm Edouard approached landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast Tuesday afternoon, with a tropical storm warning in effect for parts of Louisiana and Texas.

Edouard had maximum sustained winds near 50 mph with higher gusts shortly ahead of its arrival. Earlier, the National Hurricane Center warned that the storm could bring near-hurricane conditions to some coastal areas. Rain and wind had been lashing Port Arthur, Texas, since Tuesday morning.

Maps show storm's path and forecast

The hurricane center said a tropical storm warning is in effect from Texas' Port Bolivar to Louisiana's Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line.

Strong thunderstorms were expected to bring powerful wind gusts and dump heavy rain, with 3 to 6 inches expected along the Texas coast and inland, and some areas possibly getting up to 9 inches of rain.

A hurricane watch that had been issued earlier was discontinued Tuesday. A storm surge watch was also discontinued for parts of Texas and southwest Louisiana, but the hurricane center still warned that coastlines could see rising water levels and possible flooding.

Forecasters warned heavy rain in both states "could produce flash flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas."

After making landfall, Edouard was forecast move inland over southeastern Texas on Tuesday night and rapidly weaken.