Tropical Storm Arthur, the first of the Atlantic season, targets Gulf Coast with heavy rain

MIAMI (AP) — The first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season formed Wednesday near the Gulf Coast, bringing intense rain and the threat of dangerous flash floods to states including Texas and Louisiana, meteorologists said.Tropical Storm Arthur was a disorganized cluster of storms that brought rain for days over parts of eastern Mexico and the Gulf. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said conditions were conducive for a short-lived tropical storm to form.The center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located Wednesday morning about 40 miles (65 kilometers) east-northeast of Port O'Connor, Texas, according to an advisory. The storm was moving northeast near 9 mph (15 kph), and an increase in forward speed was expected.Arthur had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. Little change in strength is expected before the center moves over land, forecasters said. Weakening is anticipated once it moves inland, and it could dissipate by Wednesday night or early Thursday.Arthur was not expecte