Beta was the ninth named storm that made landfall in the continental U.S. this year, tying a record set in 1916.

Earlier predictions of up to 20 inches (51 centimetres) in some areas were downgraded Monday to up to 15 inches (38 centimetres).

As Tropical Storm Beta neared the Texas coast Monday, the biggest unknown was how much rainfall it could produce in areas that have already seen their share of damaging weather during a busy hurricane season.