Bands of heavy rain have been pummeling parts of the Alabama Gulf Coast and the Florida Panhandle.

Tropical Storm Nicholas has weakened to a tropical depression as it slowed to a crawl over southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana as its heavy rains continued to drench the area, maintaining a flood threat.

Strengthening off of the Gulf Coast Monday, Tropical Storm Nicholas is threatening to soon make landfall in Texas, possibly as a hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Nicholas has strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane ahead of its expected landfall in Texas.

Tropical Storm Nicholas is expected to strengthen as it heads for the Gulf Coast.