Hurricane Nicholas made landfall in Texas early on Tuesday, with the anticipated heavy rain, storm surge, and high winds potentially causing widespread and life-threatening flooding to the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana through the middle of the week. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Nicholas strengthened from a tropical storm into a hurricane late on Monday. The Category 1 hurricane hit the eastern part of the Matagorda Peninsula, about 10 miles (17 kilometers) west-southwest of Sargent Beach, at maximum winds of 75 mph (120 kph). Portions of southeastern Texas, Louisiana, and southern Mississippi are expected to be impacted by heavy rainfall, the NHC said late Monday, warning of potential life-threatening flash and urban flooding along the eastern Texas coast into southwestern Louisiana. The center said there is also danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation along the Texas coast from Port Aransas to Sabine Pass, and advised residents in these areas to follow advice …