Coastal Texas and Louisiana warned of tropical storm, while another storm moves toward Hawaii - AP News

The storm was upgraded Monday night from a tropical depression. The National Hurricane Center forecasts it will strengthen before hitting the coast. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said flooding is the biggest concern, not wind.

Forecasters are projecting 3 to 6 inches of rain in the greater Houston area. Lubbock sits well inland and west of the storm's projected path, but storms that push moisture this far into Texas can still drop significant rain across the South Plains once they stall or track inland.

For people here, this is mostly a storm to watch rather than flee. West Texas typically sees the tail end of Gulf systems as scattered showers and cooler temps rather than the dangerous flooding that hits the coast. Anyone with family or friends along the Gulf Coast, from Galveston through Beaumont and into Louisiana, should be checking in now.

That city's history with flooding from Gulf storms means even a moderate system can cause serious damage fast.