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Texas-Louisiana coast begins to feel tropical storm

The winds were beginning to pick up and the surf was rising in Galveston early yesterday as Tropical Storm Edouard closed in on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Meanwhile, rain bands and tropical storm force winds were spreading across coastal Louisiana, the National Hurricane Center said.

But despite concerns the storm would pour cold water on Galveston’s vacation season, some tourists seemed willing to stay and ride out the storm.

Beth Bronson said on Monday she was determined not to have her trip ruined.

“We spend money to come here with our families. It’s an inexpensive place to stay,” said Bronson, 49, who was vacationing from Allen, Texas. “If they were to say evacuate, then yeah we would do it. But otherwise no.”

Tropical Storm Edouard was expected to come ashore midday yesterday anywhere from western Louisiana to Port O’Connor, Texas. But tourism officials in Galveston said many vacationers were planning to stay, hoping the area would not be hit as hard as South Padre Island was by Hurricane Dolly on July 23.

Still, officials in Texas and Louisiana were busy on Monday preparing just in case Edouard intensified. It could reach near-hurricane strength as it churns in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters before making landfall.

Officials in both Texas and Louisiana on Monday prepared for Edouard’s arrival.

A tropical storm warning was in effect from Grand Isle, Louisiana, westward to Port O’Connor in Texas. A hurricane watch was in effect from west of Intracoastal City, Louisiana, to Port O’Connor.

Texas Governor Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration for 17 Texas counties that could be in Edouard’s path. The state activated a number of emergency teams, including calling up 1,200 Texas National Guard troops and six UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
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