Tropical Storm Arthur has re-formed near Galveston, Texas, as officials warn of damaging winds and life-threatening flooding. Tropical storm watches and warnings were discontinued, but flood threats remain through Thursday and into the end of the week, with ra
For the third stretch of night, the Gulf Coast is bracing for Arthur’s impact to keep moving—phase after phase—right after officials downgraded the storm and stopped issuing tropical storm alerts.
Arthur’s center has re-formed and is now sitting about 10 miles northwest of Galveston, Texas. The storm’s maximum sustained winds are 40 mph, and officials expect some areas may see up to 10 inches of rain. Even after Arthur was downgraded from a tropical storm to a post-tropical cyclone. life-threatening flooding tied to the system is still expected to hit the South overnight and into Thursday.
The storm reached parts of Texas and Louisiana on Wednesday, bringing damaging winds, torrential rainfall and storm surge. Tropical storm watches and warnings were issued as Arthur pushed in, but by the time of the 11 p.m. update. the National Hurricane Center said Arthur was downgraded to Post-Tropical Cyclone Arthur—and all tropical storm watches and warnings were discontinued.
Arthur was also the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. It strengthened into a named storm after being designated Potential Tropical Cyclone One. In the latest NHC update, the system was described as holding with sustained winds of 35 mph overnight.
At maximum strength earlier. Arthur reached maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and produced a storm surge of up to 3 feet along the Texas coastline. The disturbance has kept enough structure to remain dangerous. Torrential downpours have already turned parts of Texas hazardous. including Waco. where Interstate 35 was described as flowing like a river amid life-threatening flash flooding.
The storm’s forecast track matters less than what it does to the ground once the rain starts to pile up. The FOX Forecast Center said the system strengthened as it moved northwest over the Gulf’s warm waters. which provided thermal energy to fuel the storm. A large-scale lift tied to a sharp dip in the jet stream also helped storms develop and organize.
Still, strengthening stayed limited. Because the system spent limited time over water and continued to encounter moderate wind shear. it did not build into a higher-end threat. Forecasts warn that Post-Tropical Cyclone Arthur could continue to bring damaging winds and a life-threatening flash flood threat through the end of the week.
Flood risk remains urgent across a wide stretch of the region. A Level 3 out of 4 flood threat is in effect through Thursday morning. with the possibility of widespread and locally catastrophic flooding across numerous cities. including Baton Rouge. New Orleans and Morgan City. The NHC forecasts rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches. with isolated amounts approaching 20 inches. through early Friday from the middle and upper Texas coast across much of Louisiana and into portions of central and southern Mississippi and Alabama.
Earlier in the week, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 101 counties and urged residents to take precautions. In a statement. Abbott said. “Texas is prepared to respond to the severe weather threats that continue to move across our state. ” adding that “Texans should heed the guidance of state and local officials and take all necessary precautions to stay safe during this severe weather.”.
In Louisiana, nearly three million residents remain under flash flood alerts.
The story of Arthur is also showing up in small, heartbreaking details. Due to persistent heavy rain in Mississippi, which has resulted in heavy flooding, a resident’s chickens in a backyard drowned.
Flood concerns are expected to worsen, and Baton Rouge is among the major cities located near the bull’s eye for the heaviest rainfall.
“This is a long-lasting event. It comes in phases,” FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said. “It might look like the rain is letting up, but the worst of it could still be to come.”
Texas officials have already warned people to avoid flooded roads. and the key takeaway now is to treat the lull—if it arrives—as temporary. The system is already impacting major roadways such as Interstate 35 in Waco. and forecasters say the hazard is expected to continue through the end of the week. not just the first wave of rain.
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