Tropical Storm Arthur forms off Texas, raising flood threat on Gulf Coast
What's new: Arthur became the Atlantic season's first named storm as watches and warnings stretched from Texas into Louisiana.
Tropical Storm Arthur formed in the Gulf near the middle Texas coast, becoming the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and heightening the risk of heavy rain and flash flooding along the Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center had warned the system could bring 10 to 20 centimeters of rain, with isolated totals near 30.5 centimeters, from coastal Texas across much of Louisiana through June 18. A tropical storm watch covered the northwestern Gulf Coast from Sargent, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana, while a warning was in effect from Sabine Pass to Morgan City. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had already issued a disaster declaration for 101 counties.