Tropical Storm Nicholas: Increases Risk of Flooding off the Coast of Texas and Louisiana as Tropical Storm Nicholas Aims

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After slowing down to the stopping point in the Gulf of Mexico, the storm could be significantly strengthened. Hurricane surveillance is underway from Port Aransas to Freeport, Texas, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

A hurricane clock means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of at least 74 mph) are possible within 48 hours of the clock issuing.

Nicholas ’risk of rapid flooding increases, with a level 3 risk of 4 for excessive rainfall emitted for Texas coastal sections from Monday to at least Tuesday night, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

“This makes the total 48 hours of some areas 9 to 12 inches, which could cause major flood concerns, especially for urban areas like the Houston subway,” the Weather Prediction Center said.

While it’s not yet clear where the heaviest rain will fall, there will be places that receive a storm of at least 15 inches by the end of this week.

The storm is about 70 kilometers southeast of the mouth of the Grand River, with sustained maximum winds of 60 mph, the NHC reported Monday morning.

Torrential rains are expected off the coast of Texas and there will be a considerable threat of flooding through Wednesday in areas of Corpus Christi, Texas, through the Houston subway area and parts of western Louisiana, including Lake Charles.

Much of southeastern Louisiana is still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ida just over two weeks ago.

Nicholas, the 14th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, formed Sunday in the Gulf of Mexico. A 14th storm called in the Atlantic Basin, the total number of storms in an average season, usually does not form until November 18th.

Threats of torrential rain and up to 5 feet of storm

The center of the storm should move through South Texas or near Monday and Tuesday to higher areas of the coast.

Quick facts from the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season

Heavy rains will be the main threat, with a widespread forecast of 5 to 10 inches in southwest Louisiana. Along the middle and upper coast of Texas, the storm is expected to produce between 8 and 16 inches, the NHC said.

“This storm has the potential for rapid flooding. Houston can easily have problems with 4 to 5 inches of rain,” CNN meteorologist Tom Sater said. “More than that will create bigger problems.”

The storm surge will also pose a risk, with forecasts of 2 to 4 feet across parts of Texas and Louisiana.

The stretch of the Texas Gulf Coast, from Port O’Connor to San Luis Pass, could see an increase of up to five feet and there is a storm warning.

CNN’s Michael Guy contributed to this report.

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