Live updates: Louisiana declares state of emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Nicholas

HOUSTON — Tropical Storm Nicholas has formed in the Gulf and is expected to impact Southeast Texas starting today.

Nicholas is forecasted to be a slow-moving storm that will produce very heavy rainfall for Texas and Louisiana coastal counties, as well as areas further inland, for the next several days.

PROJECTED TIMELINE: Tropical Storm Nicholas forms in Gulf of Mexico

Updates are below from KHOU 11 meteorologists Tim Pandajis, Addison Green, Chita Craft and David Paul. You can also watch updates from our team of meteorologists on our YouTube page.

We will also have updates from local officials and any closings/cancelations on this page.

RELATED: School closings associated with Tropical Storm Nicholas

9:07 p.m. —  Angleton ISD schools will be closed Monday, Sept. 13.

9 p.m. —  Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for Louisiana in advance of Tropical Storm Nicholas.

According to Edwards, areas affected by hurricanes Ida and Laura could see impacts from Nicholas.

“As of 6 p.m. on Sunday, there are still 130,478 power outages in Southeast Louisiana caused by Hurricane Ida,” Edwards’ office said.

8:40 p.m. — Sweeny ISD canceled school for Monday, Sept. 13.

8:22 p.m. — Brazosport College will be closed Monday, Sept. 13 in response to Tropical Storm Nicholas, according to school officials.

8:12 p.m. — Mayor Sylvester Turner confirmed the Houston Office of Emergency Management will be activated Monday at 6 a.m.

7 p.m. — Brazosport ISD will be closed Monday, Sept. 13 in response to severe weather expected from Tropical Storm Nicholas. The district said it will continue to monitor the situation before making a decision regarding Tuesday and Wednesday.

7 p.m. — Montgomery County emergency management officials are encouraging residents to prepare for heavy rainfall, including up to 15 inches in some areas over the next couple of days. 

For information regarding Lake Conroe storm releases from the San Jacinto River Authority visit sjra.net.

Recovery information is available at www.mctx.org/recover.

6:50 p.m. —  Chambers County Office of Emergency Management is providing sand for residents using sandbags. Sand can be found at Winnie-Stowell Park, White Memorial Park and McLeod Park.

According to officials, each commissioner’s office will have sandbags available Monday. In the meantime, they recommend residents double bag with a heavy-duty trash can liner if they cannot wait to get bags. Read more on Facebook.

6 p.m. — Jeff Lindner with the Harris County Flood Control District says the Addicks and Barker reservoirs are empty right now. 

5:07 p.m. — Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas State Operations Center to increase its readiness to Level II, or Escalated Response, beginning Monday at 9 a.m. in preparation for Tropical Storm Nicholas. It’s to coordinate the state’s response in support of local officials.    

3 p.m. —  According to the City of Houston, Lake Houston was scheduled to be lowered to 41.5 feet today at noon in anticipation of heavy rain from Tropical Storm Nicholas.  

2:12 p.m. — Texas-New Mexico Power, which delivers power to more than 130,000 homes and businesses in Brazoria and Galveston counties, is preparing for possible power outages due to Tropical Storm Nicholas, according to the company. 

TNMP warns customers should prepare for the possibility of outages lasting for 24-48 hours or even for many days. They have already sent additional crews to the area to assist with power restoration if needed.

1:48 p.m. — Tropical Storm Nicholas is expected to bring intense rain and possible flooding to the Houston and Galveston area in the next three to four days. Some businesses in downtown Galveston have already started preparations.

1 p.m. —  Chief Meteorologist David Paul gave the latest from the 1 p.m. update on Tropical Storm Nicholas.

11:40 a.m. — Harris County Public Health has closed all COVID testing and vaccination sites Monday, Sept. 12 due to Tropical Storm Nicholas.

11:30 a.m. — Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has activated the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management to Level 3 – increased Readiness – in response to Tropical Storm Nicholas. 

10 a.m. — Tropical Storm Nicholas forms in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for the Southeast Texas coastline ahead of Nicholas’ impact.