MIAMI – Tropical Storm Cindy has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is threatening to spread heavy rain across a wide area of the central Gulf coast.
The National Weather Service in Miami said the storm at 4 p.m. CDT is centered about 280 miles south of Morgan City, Louisiana, or about 360 miles southeast of Galveston.
Recommended Videos
Cindy has top sustained winds of 45 mph and the storm is presently stationary in the Gulf. Cindy acquired a well-defined center on Tuesday afternoon, becoming the third tropical storm of 2017.
Related: Track the storm with our interactive tracker
The center said Cindy is expected to reach the Louisiana coast sometime late Wednesday and then move inland over western Louisiana and eastern Texas on Thursday.
Forecasters said rain totaling 6 to 9 inches in areas and up to 12 inches in some spots pose a threat to southern portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Thursday.
Forecasters said a tropical storm warning is in effect from High Island on the upper Texas coast all the way to the mouth of the Pearl River at the state line of Louisiana and Mississippi.
A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere in the warning area in the next 24 to 36 hours.
A tropical storm watch is in effect elsewhere on the Texas coast from west of High Island to San Luis Pass, which includes the city of Houston.
Related: Get the latest forecast for SA
Police said flooding already is being reported on Dauphin Island south of Mobile, Alabama. The main road leading to the island's narrow western end is partially covered with water, and the city is moving vehicles and equipment to higher ground.
Red flags are flying on the main public beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, as a warning for people to stay out of the water. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency Tuesday morning because of the flooding threat.
Bands of heavy rain are coming through as far east as the Florida Panhandle.
KSAT 12 meteorologist Justin Horne said it appears that most of the activity associated with Cindy will stay east of the San Antonio area. A few showers may work into Lavaca, DeWitt, and Gonzales Counties on Wednesday. Otherwise, it will be warm through the end of the week, with possible triple digits and drier air, Justin said.
--------------------------------------------------------
Don't miss a thing. Get email alerts from KSAT12 today.
Get alerted to news events as they happen or sign up for a scheduled news headline email that is delivered right to your inbox. Breaking news, severe weather, daily forecasts, entertainment news, all of the day’s important events to keep you up to date wherever you are.
Sign up today. It's Free.