Storm Nicholas threatens U.S. Gulf Coast with dangerous conditions

HOUSTON - The Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana was bracing on Monday for the arrival of Tropical Storm Nicholas, which was expected to batter the region with life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding and gusty winds.

The storm, carrying winds of 60 mph (97 kph), was moving erratically as it headed northward about 140 miles (225 km) south of the southern coast of Texas, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in a Monday morning bulletin. It was forecast to move ashore along the southern or central coast of Texas late on Monday afternoon or evening. The National Weather Service issued storm surge, flood and tropical storm warnings and watches that were in effect until at least Tuesday for the area that reached from the southern tip of Texas across the state's Gulf coast and into the Louisiana.