Tropical Storm Arthur swirled to life in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic basin hurricane season.

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According to the National Hurricane Center, Arthur developed near the Middle Texas coast.

Storm strengthens; flooding a concern

Update 2:07 p.m. ET June 17: At 2 p.m. ET, the center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located about 55 miles east-northeast of Port O’Connor, Texas, and approximately 170 miles west-southwest of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

The storm strengthened slightly, with maximum sustained winds of 45, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm was moving to the northeast at 9 mph.

A tropical storm warning was in effect from Sergent, Texas to Morgan City, Louisiana, the hurricane center said.

The hurricane center said the biggest concern from Arthur was heavy rain. Between 5 to 10 inches of rain are projected, with up to 20 inches in some areas through early Friday.

“This could generate dangerous tolife-threatening flash flooding,” the hurricane center said in its statement.

Original report: At 11 a.m. ET, the center of the storm was located about 40 miles east-northeast of Port O’Connor, Texas, and approximately 190 miles west-southwest of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Maximum sustained winds of 40 mph were clocked by the hurricane center, just 5 mph above the speed needed to name a tropical system.

The storm was moving to the northeast at 9 mph.

A tropical storm warning was in effect from High Island, Texas to Morgan City, Louisiana, the hurricane center said.

The NHC will issue an intermediate advisory at 2 p.m. ET.

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