Tropical Depression Edouard Drenches Texas with Historic Flash Flooding

HOUSTON, Texas — Tropical Depression Edouard is unleashing torrential rain across East Texas, with over 20 inches reported in some areas and life-threatening flash flooding underway. Emergency crews are responding as roads and communities become inundated. Here is the latest update.

Tropical Depression Edouard 

Tropical Depression Edouard Brings Extreme Rain to Texas

Tropical Depression Edouard continued to produce intense rainfall across Texas after moving inland from the Gulf Coast. 

The system made landfall near Johnson Bayou, Louisiana, on Tuesday with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph before weakening into a tropical depression later that night.

Although Edouard has lost much of its wind strength, it is still carrying deep tropical moisture into the region.

This has fueled repeated rounds of heavy rain, particularly across eastern and southeastern Texas. 

Rainfall totals of 10 to 21 inches are reported in parts of Hardin and Tyler counties, while some areas northeast of Houston saw rain falling at around 5 inches per hour.

The system developed quickly after emerging as a tropical rainstorm over the Gulf, becoming a named storm on Monday before strengthening ahead of landfall. 

Its rapid transition from a tropical storm to a tropical depression highlights that a storm can weaken in wind intensity while still producing dangerous amounts of rain.

Edouard is the fifth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and the third tropical storm to make landfall along this part of the Gulf Coast this year.

Tropical Depression Edouard brings torrential rain to East Texas after moving inland

Flash Flood Emergencies Issued as Floodwaters Rise

Flash flood emergencies were issued by the National Weather Service across parts of Southeast Texas on Wednesday as rapidly rising water created dangerous conditions. 

The highest-level flash flood alert covered Hardin and Tyler counties, where authorities warned that the situation was life-threatening.

Flooding was also reported in Liberty and Polk counties. In Polk County, officials issued a local disaster declaration as water continued to rise. 

Flood watches extended toward Houston and College Station, putting more communities on alert.

The flooding developed quickly as heavy rain fell over already saturated areas. In some locations, water entered buildings and forced residents to move to higher ground. 

The National Weather Service urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and leave areas affected by flooding or evacuation orders.

The threat was expected to remain serious as more rain moved across the region. 

With additional downpours possible, officials continued to warn residents in affected areas to monitor local alerts and avoid flooded roads.

Rising floodwaters threaten communities across Southeast Texas

Rescues, Power Outages and Road Closures Reported Across Texas

The flooding disrupted daily life across Southeast Texas, with emergency crews responding to residents trapped by rising water. 

In Livingston, a woman and her four children were rescued from a mobile home after floodwaters reached the property. 

Other rescues were reported as motorists became stranded on flooded roads.

Power outages added to the disruption.

More than 70,000 customers across Southeast Texas were without electricity at one point, with the hardest-hit areas including Beaumont, Port Arthur and nearby communities. 

Fallen trees and damaged power lines contributed to the outages as crews worked to restore service.

Flooded roads also made travel hazardous across the region. 

Some routes became impassable, while local officials urged drivers not to attempt to cross water-covered roads. 

Several school districts canceled classes because of flooding, power outages and unsafe road conditions.

Get the latest weather, wind, and rainfall updates for Beaumont, Port Arthur and other affected areas to stay informed as conditions change.

More than 1,100 state responders and personnel from 20 state agencies were deployed to support local emergency operations, including search and rescue, transportation and recovery efforts. 

Authorities continued working across affected communities as conditions remained difficult.

Flooding strands residents, cuts power and closes roads across Southeast Texas

References

1. WJCL

2. ABC News

3. The Independent