Tropical Storm Arthur Dissipates
Tropical Storm Arthur has dissipated and will move further inland later this morning and afternoon. The storm's biggest impact will be dangerous flash flooding well east of its path.
As of 10 p.m. CDT, Post Tropical Storm Arthur was located near 29.7 N and 94.5 W. This places it about 35 miles north-northeast of Galveston, Texas, and 85 miles west-southwest of Lake Charles, La. It was moving northeast at 9 mph, packing top sustained winds of 35 mph. Its minimum central pressure was 1000 mb, or 29.53 inches of mercury.
All Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings have been discontinued.
Arthur will follow a northeast motion near but inland from the Gulf Coast through the morning and afternoon.
The main impacts will be locally heavy rainfall leading to flooding. Drenching downpours will produce widespread storm total rainfall of 4 to 8 inches in central and southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and in parts of Georgia and the Florida Panhandle through Thursday. Isolated totals up to 10 inches cannot be ruled out in the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coasts.
Flood Watches stretch from the eastern Texas Gulf Coast to central/northern Georgia. This includes Atlanta and Macon, Ga., Montgomery and Birmingham, Ala., Jackson, Miss., Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Alexandria, La., and Houston, Texas. Remember, if you approach a road covered in water, follow a simple motto – “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”
A Tornado Watch is also in effect across eastern Louisiana into southern Mississippi.
Tropical storm-force wind gusts, those greater than 39 mph, will be possible early this morning near the immediate Louisiana Gulf Coasts early this morning. Only a minimal storm surge is expected this morning along the southern coast of Louisiana.
It is time to prepare for the hurricane season. Create a hurricane evacuation box now, before the storm, with bottled water, extra cell phone chargers, food and clothing. Scope out multiple different evacuation routes in case your preferred route is blocked or traffic is jammed.