Potential Tropical Cyclone Southwest of Louisiana Brings Flood Risk Through Thursday

The National Hurricane Center stated on Tuesday that the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season could form in the Gulf within the next few days. The system, designated Invest 90L, was located about 360 miles southwest of Lake Charles, Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds of 30 miles per hour.

Tropical storm watches have been issued for the northwestern Gulf Coast from Sargent, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana.

The National Hurricane Center placed an Area to Watch in the northwestern portion of the Gulf of America. Life-threatening flash floods are possible along the Texas coast and eastward into central Mississippi until Thursday. Minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected along parts of the Upper Texas and Louisiana coastlines.

The FOX Forecast Center said Houston, Corpus Christi, and Jackson, Mississippi, face the second-highest flood risk this week. Houston and Corpus Christi are under a Level 3 out of 4 flood threat through Tuesday, with rain totals of 5 to 8 inches possible through that day. A Level 3 out of 4 flood threat has been issued each day through Thursday for various parts of the region.

The FOX Forecast Center warned of widespread and locally catastrophic flooding over the coming days. The odds for tropical development have increased to 50 percent over the next seven days. Forecasters may still be tracking flash flooding through Friday, as some models show the system moving south into next weekend.

The Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to be calmer than normal in 2026, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The eastern Pacific is bracing for a more active season, driven by an especially potent super El Niño that carries a 70 percent chance of above-normal activity there.