Nicholas makes landfall as a hurricane in Texas. Here's what we know about the storm

Tropical Storm Nicholas briefly became a hurricane Monday night before making landfall early Tuesday, prompting local school districts to close and the community to brace for substantial rain.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 4 a.m. advisory, the storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and is located 50 miles south southwest of Houston and is moving north northeast at 9 mph. Nicholas could bring rains of 8 to 16 inches across the coastal area.

As the storm moves through the area, here’s what we know about its impacts and where it’s forecast to go.

Nicholas makes landfall, downgraded to tropical storm

Nicholas made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on the eastern portion of Matagorda Peninsula. At the time of landfall, it had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. Gusts of up to 90 mph were recorded.

The storm is forecast to continue moving north northeast into Louisiana, where it is expected to slow down significantly. 

The biggest threat is the potential for heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Areas could see 5 to 10 inches of rain, with up to 20 inches in localized areas.

Nicholas is Category 1 hurricane

The National Weather Service said NIcholas had sustained winds speeds of 75 mph in it’s Monday evening advisory. A storm is considered a hurricane if it has sustained winds of at least 74 mph.

Should Nicholas’s winds dip below that speed, it will be considered a tropical storm again.

For example, Nicholas could lose power once it makes landfall and downgraded to a tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Nicholas forecast to make landfall near Matagorda Bay

The majority of spaghetti models forecast Nicholas to move north through the Gulf and to potentially make landfall east of Corpus Christi.

CBS News Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli said Monday morning that the storm could hit near Port Lavaca Monday night. Meteorologist Allan Huffman agreed on Twitter, forecasting the storm could make landfall near Matagorda Bay.

The National Weather Service Houston and Corpus Christi offices both have said landfall could happen Monday night, too. Current models show the storm could hit during the overnight hours between late Monday night and Tuesday morning.

The storm is forecast to result in heavy rain along the coast this week.

Storm surge warnings and watches

Nicholas has already resulted in several weather warnings and watches

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:

• Sargent to Sabine Pass including Galveston Bay

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

• Matagorda to Cameron

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for: 

• Sabine Pass to Rutherford Beach Louisiana