MIAMI (AP) — The first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season formed on Wednesday near the Gulf Coast, bringing intense rain and the threat of dangerous flash flooding to states including Texas and Louisiana, meteorologists said.Tropical Storm Arthur was a disorganised cluster of storms that had brought rain for days over parts of eastern Mexico and the Gulf.The National Hurricane Center in Miami said conditions were conducive to a short-lived tropical storm forming.National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan said during a briefing that flash flood warnings were already being issued in the Houston metropolitan area, with more likely to follow across the region, even after the centre of the storm passes.“The main threat from Arthur is going to be a prolonged, multi-day, heavy rainfall event that could produce dangerous, life-threatening flash flooding,” Brennan said.Houston is hosting a World Cup match on Wednesday between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The stadium is covered, and no plans have been announced to move or reschedule the match.The centre of Tropical Storm Arthur was located on Wednesday morning about 40 miles (65 kilometres) east-northeast of Port O’Connor, Texas, according to an advisory.The storm was moving northeast at about 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 centre moves over land, forecasters said. Weakening is anticipated once it moves inland, and it could dissipate by Wednesday night or early Thursday.Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.