By Cyndi Sellers

Tropical Storm Nicholas reached hurricane strength just before landfall Monday night along the middle Texas coast, bringing rain and elevated tides to Cameron Parish. Schools were closed Tuesday, and students were sent home with their Chromebooks to have a day of virtual learning.

No evacuation was called, and none appeared to have been needed as tides did not reach the 4′ surge levels predicted, wind was only blustery, and rain came in shorter, more manageable bursts, without reports of flooding.

By Wednesday Nicholas was a low-pressure system moving east of Lake Charles, and the skies were clearing. Cameron Parish breathed a sigh of relief.