Tropical Storm Arthur Forms Near Texas Coast as First Named Storm of 2026 Season

Tropical Storm Arthur formed Wednesday near the Texas coast as the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center placed the center of the storm about 40 miles east-northeast of Port O’Connor, Texas, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. The system was moving northeast at 9 mph.

NPR reported that heavy rainfall is the primary threat, though the storm’s maximum sustained winds are only 40 mph and little change in strength is expected before landfall. Arthur is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5-10 inches, with isolated higher totals near 20 inches. Flooding is likely through Friday over parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida panhandle.

Flood watches are in effect from the Texas coast through parts of Georgia. A tropical storm warning remains in effect from High Island, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana. Officials in Galveston County urged residents not to drive through flooded streets.

Life-threatening rip currents and surf conditions are likely along the northwestern Gulf coast for the next few days. Tornadoes are possible through Thursday. Arthur formed slightly ahead of the 1991-2020 average date for the first named Atlantic storm, which is June 20.

A 15-year-old boy drowned in a flooded retention pond outside Houston on Tuesday evening, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said. Rescue workers found his body using sonar technology after an extensive search.

The center of Arthur was located on Wednesday morning about 55 miles east-north-east of Port O’Connor, Texas. The storm was moving north-east near 9 mph.

An increase in forward speed was expected. Little change in strength is expected before the center moves over land. Weakening is anticipated once the storm moves inland. The storm could dissipate by Wednesday night or early Thursday.