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.
04.48am (10.48pm CST) update: Child killed in Florida as tree blown onto trailer in weather storm
But the NHC said: "Rapid weakening is forecast after Gordon moves inland, and is forecast to become a tropical depression on Wednesday.”
The tropical storm made landfall just west of the Alabama-Mississippi border, lashing the US Gulf Coast with high winds and heavy rain.
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.
Tropical Storm Gordon is expected to make landfall tonight along the northern Gulf Coast, possibly as a hurricane. A hurricane warning has been issued for the Alabama and Mississippi coasts and tropical storm warnings are posted for other portions of the northern Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center said the storm is located about 190 miles (305km) east-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi with maximum sustained winds of 65mph. The hurricane warning is in force from the mouth of the Pearl River, Mississippi to the border between Alabama and Florida.
The tropical storm warning are from west of the mouth of the Pearl River, Mississippi to east of Morgan City, Louisiana, including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas, as well as from the Alabama-Florida border to the Okaloosa-Walton County line in Florida. The storm is due to come ashore late on Tuesday near the border between Louisiana and Mississippi and drop as much as eight inches of rain in areas still recovering from last year’s hurricanes. Gordon is centred about 190 miles east-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River and it was moving at relatively fast speed for a tropical cyclone - between 15mph and 20mph. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency warned of storm surges of between 3 and 5 feet and told South Mississippi residents to be prepared to evacuate.
Hurricane Gordon path: Hurricane and tropical storm warning are in place for parts of the US
The heavy rainbands are moving toward the Florida Gulf Coast and have cleared the rest of the Florida Peninsula. Gordon is forecast to be a Category 1 hurricane by the time it make landfall on the northern Gulf Coast tonight along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The heaviest rainfall from Gordon is expected to happen along or to the east of its track, where up to 12 inches of rain is possible in some areas. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency and said 200 Louisiana National Guardsmen were being deployed, along with 63 high-water trucks, 39 boats and four helicopters.
Hurricane Gordon path: Gordon is forecast to be a Category 1 hurricane when it makes landfall
The National Hurricane Center has warned residents in southeastern Louisiana, southern and central Mississippi, far southeastern Arkansas, southwestern Alabama and the western Florida panhandle. The US Coast Guard said the ports of New Orleans as well as Gulfport and Pascagoula, Mississippi, may have to close within 48 hours. Last year, powerful hurricanes hit Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, causing thousands of deaths, hundreds of billions of dollars worth of damage and massive power outages. A storm surge warning has been issued from Shell Beach, Louisiana, to the mouth of the Mississippi River and from east of Dauphin Island, Alabama to Navarre, Florida.
Hurricane Gordon path: The times when winds up to 65mph will hit the US
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 Center believes Gordon, the seventh-named storm of the season, will become a Category 1 hurricane before it makes landfall tonight.
However, the storm remains a tropical storm with winds measuring at 70 mph.
Mobile officials say the storm is expected to make landfall in west Mobile County around 10 p.m. Tuesday night. Residents should take necessary precautions.
Officials do not expect the storm to strengthen. Mobile County remains under Hurricane and Flash Flood warnings and a Tornado watch.
