⚠️ Tropical Cyclone Statement – Vernon; Rapides; Avoyelles; Beauregard; Allen; Evangeline; St. Landry; Lafayette; Upper St. Martin; Lower St. Martin; West Cameron; East Cameron; Northern Calcasieu; Northern Jefferson Davis; Northern Acadia; Upper Vermilion; Upper Iberia; Upper St. Mary; Southern Calcasieu; Southern Jefferson Davis; Southern Acadia; Lower Vermilion; Lower Iberia; Lower St. Mary; Tyler; Hardin; Northern Jasper; Northern Newton; Southern Jasper; Southern Newton; Upper Jefferson; Northern Orange; Lower Jefferson; Southern Orange – Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Tropical Cyclone Statement issued June 17 at 10:12AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA

Details

HLSLCH

This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas

**TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR DEVELOPS NEAR THE MIDDLE TEXAS COAST**

NEW INFORMATION
—————

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
Warning for Lower Jefferson

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for East Cameron, Lower
Iberia, Lower Jefferson, Lower St. Mary, Lower Vermilion, and
West Cameron

* STORM INFORMATION:
– About 190 miles west-southwest of Lake Charles LA or about 140
miles southwest of Beaumont TX
– 28.6N 95.8W
– Storm Intensity 40 mph
– Movement Northeast or 45 degrees at 9 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
——————

Observations have indicated tropical storm force winds in some of
the bands of the low pressure area moving up the Texas gulf coast.
As a result, the National Hurricane Center has upgraded PTC 1 to
Tropical Storm Arthur with maximum sustained winds near 40 MPH. The
Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning
for Jefferson county as tropical storm force winds will be possible
along the immediate coastline as the bands of Arthur move inland
this afternoon and tonight. No other changes have been made to the
warnings already in effect. Long duration heavy rainfall from Arthur
will exacerbate flooding across southeast Texas as well as
southwest, central and south central Louisiana today and Thursday.
Rainfall totals of one half to 3 inches are expected with locally
higher amounts of 2 to 8 inches possible within tropical rain bands.
The highest totals are expected in South Central Louisiana. Coastal
flooding with surge values of 2-4 feet are expected this afternoon.
Wind gusts of 25-50 MPH can be expected along the southwest and
south central Louisiana coasts with wind gusts up to 25 MPH inland.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
—————–

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across south central Louisiana. Potential
impacts include:
– Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
– Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
become stressed.
– Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts across southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across southeast Texas, southwest and south central Louisiana.
Potential impacts in this area include:
– Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
– Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
spots.
– Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
numerous rip currents.
– Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
unprotected anchorages.

Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to
no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southwest Louisiana
and Southeast Texas.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Potential impacts
include:
– The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
– A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
and communications disruptions.
– Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and boats pulled
from moorings.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
———————————-

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don’t drown!

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
– For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
– For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
– For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
———–

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Lake Charles LA around 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

This alert was automatically posted by SkyGuard, MWSC’s severe weather alerting system. Source: National Weather Service.