A disorganized cluster of storms that had been plaguing the Gulf Coast for days came together to form Tropical Storm Arthur on Wednesday - the first tropical cyclone of the season in the Atlantic basi

Southeastern states can expect a prolonged deluge with the possibility of intense flash flooding as Tropical Storm Arthur moves through the area. Arthur, which formed off the coast of Texas, is the first named storm of this hurricane season. Storms receive names once their wind speeds reach or exceed 39 mph. National Hurricane Center forecasters said Wednesday that Arthur’s wind speeds had reached about 45 mph with some higher gusts. They expected 5 to 10 inches of rain through early Friday along the Texas coast, before the storm douses parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and western Georgia and Florida. As much as 20 inches of rain could fall in some unlucky areas. “Heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding remain the primary hazard with this system,” forecasters said Wednesday morning. The highest flash flood potential over the next three days stretches from Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Montgomery, Alabama, with the highest rainfall totals expected near Mobile, Alabama, according to the National Hurricane…