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Tropical Storm Edouard hits Texas | Tropical Storm Edouard hits Texas |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A powerful tropical storm has hit the upper coast of Texas, bringing heavy rains and winds of up to (65mph) 100km/h, US weather forecasters said. | A powerful tropical storm has hit the upper coast of Texas, bringing heavy rains and winds of up to (65mph) 100km/h, US weather forecasters said. |
Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall between Galveston and Louisiana, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. | Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall between Galveston and Louisiana, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. |
The near-hurricane strength storm weakened as it moved inland, with flooding the primary concern. | |
The governor of Texas declared 17 counties disaster areas, while a state of emergency was declared in Louisiana. | |
The storm was downgraded to a tropical depression as it moved north-west overland, the NHC said. | |
About 6,000 residents of two communities in western Louisiana had been asked to evacuate low-lying coastal areas. | About 6,000 residents of two communities in western Louisiana had been asked to evacuate low-lying coastal areas. |
"Texas is grateful that this storm did not escalate to hurricane strength before making landfall on our shores," Texas Governor Rick Perry said. | |
Evacuations | Evacuations |
The mayor of Galveston did not order an evacuation but sent in about 1,200 National Guard troops. | |
Edouard is the fifth tropical storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. | Edouard is the fifth tropical storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. |
Tropical Storm Edouard was just short of hurricane strength when it came ashore between High Island and Sabine Pass, weather forecasters said. | Tropical Storm Edouard was just short of hurricane strength when it came ashore between High Island and Sabine Pass, weather forecasters said. |
A storm is considered to be a hurricane once its winds reach an average speed of at least 74mph (119 km/h), according to the NHC. | A storm is considered to be a hurricane once its winds reach an average speed of at least 74mph (119 km/h), according to the NHC. |
It had formed near a major oil and gas producing area of the northern Gulf of Mexico, causing disruption. | It had formed near a major oil and gas producing area of the northern Gulf of Mexico, causing disruption. |
The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port has stopped offloading tankers and two oil firms evacuated workers from platforms. | The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port has stopped offloading tankers and two oil firms evacuated workers from platforms. |
Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell said they were removing employees from rigs as a precaution, but both insisted that production had not been affected. | Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell said they were removing employees from rigs as a precaution, but both insisted that production had not been affected. |
The Houston Ship Channel was also closed. | The Houston Ship Channel was also closed. |
Edouard is the second tropical storm to hit the Gulf states in two weeks | Edouard is the second tropical storm to hit the Gulf states in two weeks |
A storm surge of 2-4ft (0.6-1.2m) was expected in coastal areas between Grand Isle, Louisiana, and Sargent, Texas, the NHC said. | A storm surge of 2-4ft (0.6-1.2m) was expected in coastal areas between Grand Isle, Louisiana, and Sargent, Texas, the NHC said. |
Rainfall of up to 5in (12.7cm) was predicted in Louisiana, and up to 10in (25.4cm) in Texas. | Rainfall of up to 5in (12.7cm) was predicted in Louisiana, and up to 10in (25.4cm) in Texas. |
It is the second bout of severe weather to batter the Gulf's coastline in a month. | It is the second bout of severe weather to batter the Gulf's coastline in a month. |
On 24 July, a state of disaster was declared in 14 Texas counties when Hurricane Dolly lashed the state's coast with winds of 100mph (161km/h). | On 24 July, a state of disaster was declared in 14 Texas counties when Hurricane Dolly lashed the state's coast with winds of 100mph (161km/h). |
The Gulf of Mexico supplies about 25% of the US's crude oil. | The Gulf of Mexico supplies about 25% of the US's crude oil. |
Are you in Texas or Louisiana? How are you preparing for Tropical Storm Edouard? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Texas or Louisiana? How are you preparing for Tropical Storm Edouard? Send us your comments using the form below. |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
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