What Is Tropical Storm Depression 5?
Breaking news tonight: what began as Tropical Depression 5 in the Gulf of America has just been upgraded to Tropical Storm Edouard in the 7 p.m. advisory — becoming the fifth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and heading directly toward Southeast Texas. Here is everything you need to know.
What a Tropical Depression Is and How It Became Edouard
A tropical depression is the earliest and weakest stage of a tropical cyclone — a system of organized thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of less than 38 mph. Tropical Depression 5 formed in the Gulf of America from a disturbance previously known as Invest 97L and Potential Tropical Cyclone 5 — and it quickly strengthened. The depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Edouard in the 7 p.m. advisory, with Tropical Storm Warnings remaining in effect for parts of the upper Texas and southwestern Louisiana coasts — and the storm is expected to make landfall in Port Arthur on Tuesday evening.
What Edouard Means for Southeast Texas Tonight
The threat is immediate and real. Tropical storm-force winds or gusts are expected from Port Bolivar to the Vermilion/Iberia Parish Line, with the biggest threat to the region being heavy rainfall causing flash flooding largely along and east of Interstate 45. A Flood Watch is in effect from late tonight through 7 a.m. Wednesday morning for Chambers, Liberty, San Jacinto, Montgomery, Harris, and Galveston Counties — with rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches anticipated and locally higher amounts of 6 to 9 inches possible. Edouard is forecast to move inland over eastern Texas sometime Tuesday afternoon or evening, continue moving inland Wednesday, then dissipate by early Thursday.
What Your Insurance Covers — and Does Not
This is the most financially critical section for every Texas homeowner. Your standard homeowners policy covers wind damage from tropical storms — but flood damage from rising water, storm surge, or overflowing bayous is entirely excluded and requires a separate flood insurance policy. Flood insurance takes 30 days to go into effect — meaning there is no way to purchase flood protection now for coverage against Edouard. If you already have flood insurance, confirm your policy number and insurer contact information tonight. If you do not, document your property's pre-storm condition with dated photos and video immediately — this documentation is essential for any claim you file after the storm.
The Insurance Moratorium Is Now in Effect
With a named tropical storm officially designated and warnings in effect along the Texas coast, insurance moratoriums have almost certainly activated. Once a named storm enters the Gulf, most insurance companies, including the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, stop selling new policies or making changes to existing ones — meaning you cannot purchase new coverage, increase existing limits, or add endorsements until Edouard has fully passed and the moratorium is lifted. Review your current policy tonight, confirm your deductibles, and contact your insurer to report any storm damage as soon as it is safe to do so after the storm clears on Wednesday.
Stay Safe Through Tuesday Night
Houston doesn't need a named hurricane to flood — the key issue is rainfall rate, as tropical bands can drop heavy rain quickly, and a weaker storm can still knock out power, which in July heat becomes a safety issue fast. Monitor the National Hurricane Center at nhc.noaa.gov, the National Weather Service Houston at weather.gov/hgx, and contact the Texas Department of Insurance at 800-252-3439 for any storm-related insurance questions after Edouard passes.
