Tropical Storm Gordon, which will likely become a hurricane before hitting the northern U.S. Gulf Coast, will strike on the night of Sept. 4, bringing high winds, heavy rains, and dangerous storm surge.
The NHC said that the storm will intensify to become at least a Category 1 hurricane when it hits land.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the Pearl River to the Alabama-Florida border, a tropical storm warning is in effect for west of the mouth of the Pearl River to Grand Isle, including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. Also, a tropical storm warning is in effect for the Alabama-Florida border to Okaloosa-Walton County line, according to the NHC.
A storm surge warning is in effect for Shell Beach to Dauphin Island, the agency added.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey all declared states of emergencies ahead of the storm’s landfall.
The storm could be weakened by another storm in the area, say weather forecasters.
Wind shear is a change in the wind direction or speed, which can prevent tropical systems from developing or strengthening.
“So it is quite possible that if that non-tropical storm weakens and wind shear diminishes, Gordon could ramp up to a hurricane Tuesday afternoon and early evening, just prior to landfall,” Sosnowski added.
A storm surge warning has been issued for the area stretching from Shell Beach, Louisiana, to Dauphin Island, Alabama. The warning means there is danger of life-threatening inundation. The region could see rising waters of 3 to 5 feet.
“The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the east of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large waves,” Pasch said.
Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle called for a voluntary evacuation of the barrier island. The mayor noted the ongoing construction on Highway 1, the lone road that connects Grand Isle to the rest of the state, and said it could cause “severe problems” for people evacuating.