Tropical Storm Gordon is set to become a Category 1 hurricane as it ploughs into land on Tuesday night. The massive storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 65mph (100km/h), just 9mph from hurricane-strength, and is heading northwest at 15mph (24km/h). Gordon is forecast to unleash a torrent of hazards when it hits, including torrential rain, powerful winds, life-threatening strom surges and tornadoes. Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana have declared a state of emergency as the storm bears down.
The following watches and warnings are in place: A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for: Shell Beach to Dauphin Island
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for: West of Shell Beach to the Mouth of the Mississippi River, and East of Dauphin Island to Navarre
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for: Mouth of 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 Maurepa, and Alabama-Florida Border to Okaloosa-Walton County Line Follow us below for all the live updates as the situation progresses. All update times in BST (six hours behind Central Standard Time)
3.00pm update: Dramatic images show the extent of Hurricane Gordon damage Gordon weakened to a powerful tropical storm after making landfall just west of the Alabama-Mississippi border,. The storm is currentlyt lashing the US Gulf Coast with high winds and heavy rain - having already killed one person in Florida, the US National Hurricane Center said. The storm, which caused only minor damage, was about 25 miles (40 km) south-southeast of Jackson, Mississippi and packed winds of 35 miles per hour. Gordon will likely move across the lower Mississippi Valley through the day, bringing heavy rain and flooding, the NHC added. Find all the latest pictures of the damage here.
Hurricane Gordon: Gordon’s outer rainbands were already beginning to hit western Florida
06.38am (12.38am CST) update: Storm Gordon makes landfall near Alabama-Mississippi border The tropical storm made landfall just west of the Alabama-Mississippi border, lashing the US Gulf Coast with high winds and heavy rain. But the NHC said: "Rapid weakening is forecast after Gordon moves inland, and is forecast to become a tropical depression on Wednesday.” 04.48am (10.48pm CST) update: Child killed in Florida as tree blown onto trailer in weather storm A child has been killed in Florida after a tree was blown on top of his mobile home in an incident which may be linked to Tropical Storm Gordon. A child has been killed in Florida after a tree was blown on top of his mobile home in an incident which may be linked to Tropical Storm Gordon. No one else inside the home was injured. It took place in Escambia County, near the city of Pensacola. 03.22am (9.22pm CST) update: Gordon approaches the shores Storm Gordon will cross the coast near the Mississippi Alabama border tonight. Tropical storm conditions are already effecting the Florida and Alabama coastlines and will spread across South Mississippi as well as the Parishes along the Pearl River including Eastern St. Tammany and Washington. 01.54am (7.54pm CST) update: Storm Gordon's impact on Florida's coastline Even though Florida avoided a direct hit, from the Treasure Coast to Palm Beach County, Tropical Storm Gordon was strong enough to impact the coastline. Parts of the St. Lucie County shoreline are now filled with seaweed, and the storm caused some erosion and helped create a 2-4 foot cliff on the beach. 00.42am (6.42pm CST) update: Gordon picks up "little strenght" Tropical Storm Gordon has picked up “a little” strength and it is expected to make landfall by Tuesday night, officials said. The NHC 5pm update reads: “On the forecast track, the centre of Gordon will make landfall along the north-central Gulf Coast within the hurricane warning area this evening or tonight, and move inland over the lower Mississippi Valley through Wednesday.” “Some additional strengthening is still possible, and Gordon could become a hurricane before landfall occurs along the north-central Gulf Coast this evening.” The storm is expected to quickly lose strength as it moves over land, the NHC said.
Hurricane Gordon damage risk
Tuesday September 4 11.32pm update (5.23pm CST) update: Gordon halts energy producton in US Gulf of Mexico On Tuesday, energy companies cut 9 percent of US Gulf of Mexico oil and gas production. According to the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, companies evacuated 54 offshore platforms and halted 156,907 barrels per day of oil production. Martina Bet takes over reporting from Kate Whitfield 9.10pm update (3.10 CST) update: 'Finish your preparations now' FEMA has warned citizens to "finish your preparations now and keep a close eye on updates as impacts are expected today." Sustained tropical-storm-force winds are expected to begin moving onshore the northern Gulf of Mexico this afternoon. 8.40pm update (2.40pm CST) update: Potential hazards to land and life A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water during the next 36 hours. The NOAA states: “This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. “Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.” A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening water inundation. A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning areas.
Hurricane Gordon path: The latest NOAA map shows Gordon hitting the coast as a hurricane
8pm BST (2pm CST) update: Florida Panhandle battered by gusty winds and heavy rain NOAA have released their 1pm update, which sees much of the same continuing action. Tropical-storm-force winds are extending outward up to 80 miles (130 km) from the centre as South Floria takes a battering. Some strengthening is expected later today, and Gordon is forecast to be a hurricane when it makes landfall along the north-central Gulf Coast.
At 10am Central Time (4pm BST) on Tuesday, Gordon was churning about 145 miles (235km) east-southeast from the mouth of the Mississippi River.
The massive storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 65mph (100km/h) and is heading northwest at 15mph (24km/h).
The latest advisory from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said: “Outer rain-bands are producing squally weather along the coast of the western Florida panhandle.
“Gordon is expected to make landfall tonight as a hurricane.”
Current wind speeds of 65mph are battering the Gulf Coast just off the southwestern states after lashing the southern tip of Florida yesterday. Gordon was centered 145 miles (235km) east-south-east of the mouth of the Mississippi River as of 4pm BST this afternoon (10am CDT), according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA’s latest warning reads: “Outer trainbands producing squally weather along the coast of the Western Florida Panhandle. “Gordon expected to make landfall tonight as a hurricane.”
The storm is moving at a rate of 15mph. Where will Gordon make landfall in Mississippi tonight? Gordon is expected to hit the border between Louisiana and Mississippi when it first hits land tonight. A hurricane warning has been issued for Mississipi, Louisiana and Alabama with a state of emergency declared in all three states.
Hurricane Gordon spaghetti models: The projected path of Gordon as it hits the United States
As Gordon makes landfall, it is expected to continue along a north-west trajectory, according to the latest spaghetti models from Cycloncane.com. The storm’s path is likely to head north over Jackson and Vicksburg in Mississippi, before crossing over into parts of Louisiana and then onto Arkansas. Hurricane level winds are expected to bring eight inches of rain for Louisiana and Mississippi, government officials have said. A storm surge warning, meaning there is also a threat posed to life, is in effect for Shell Beach, located near to New Orleans, up to Dauphin Island
Hurricane Gordon spaghetti models: Gordon is expected to hit the border of Louisiana and Mississippi
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is preparing to open an emergency shelter at 7pm BST (1pm local time). The authority tweeted: “State Medical Needs Shelter, at 1640 Coy Ave in Wiggins, will open at 1pm today in response to #TropicalStormGordon. “This facility is a shelter of last resort for those people whose medical needs cannot be accommodated in a general population shelter.” People have been warned to evacuate if necessary and to stockpile water food and supplies for three days, as well as communication tools such as phones.
Hurricane Gordon spaghetti models: NOAA's storm update at 4pm BST on Tuesday
The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) confirmed that Gordon would become a hurricane on landfall, which is predicted to be carrying winds of up to 65mph (105km) and heavy rainfall. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency, as well as New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. The US Coast Guard said the ports of New Orleans as well as Gulfport and Pascagoula, Mississippi, may have to close within 48 hours. The US Gulf Coast region was battered by storm waves on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Gordon moved closer as it tears up the Atlantic Ocean.
Storm Gordon is set to turn into a Hurricane when it make landfall off the west coast of Florida
A graph showing the expected windfall of Storm Gordon as it heads towards the West of Florida
Images released by the NOAA agency show the potentially hazardous storm hitting the coast of Florida. As of Tuesday morning, Gordon was located about 190 miles (305 km) east-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, and was heading west-northwest, the Miami-based hurricane center said. The NHC said the storm will become a full force hurricane by Tuesday night, making land impact with estimated force winds of 74mph (119 kph). At 3.40pm CET (3.40pm BST) on Tuesday, the NHC confirmed Gordon was about 145 miles east of the mouth of the Mississippi river with maximum sustained winds of over 100km per hour.
This graph shows the estimated arrival time of the storm which will upgrade to hurricane
Gordon will become a hurricane as it batters the coast of Florida with winds topping 100kmh
Meanwhile beaches around Mobile, Alabama, were seeing storm-driven waves on Tuesday morning, said National Weather Service meteorologist Steven Miller. Mr Miller said: "We're expecting an increase in winds. We could see flooding.” The tropical storm caused a further jump in global oil prices after two oil rigs owned by the Anadarko Petroleum Corp in the Gulf Coast were evacuated on Monday. Other companies have followed suit, with production and refining operations along the Gulf Coast securing facilities.
A graph showing the most likely arrival time of the tropical storm
A graph showing Hurricane Gordon
