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Hurricane Delta Poses Serious Threat to U.S. Gulf Coast

The weather is “quickly deteriorating over the northeast Yucatan Coast with life-threatening storm surge and strong winds arriving soon,” according to the National Hurricane Center. According to the Weather Channel, “Delta will be the strongest hurricane to strike Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula in at least 15 years.”

Early Wednesday morning Delta is moving northwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour (mph). Yesterday, the system had top wind speeds of 145 mph.  Now, Delta’s winds are at 115 mph.

Hurricane Delta could lose some strength while it passes the Yucatan Peninsula. However, it is projected to gain power and gain size in the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Impacts on Central Alabama

Due to the shift in the forecast track, Delta’s central core could stay west of our western counties. According to the National Weather Service, “Delta’s closest approach should occur between late Saturday morning and early Saturday night.” Reminder, that any tracking shift of Delta could change some of the potential weather scenarios for our area.

UPDATE: (4:15 PM)

According to the National Weather Service Birmingham noted that  "on the latest track from the National Hurricane Center, Delta could bring small threat for tornadoes to areas generally along and west of Interstate 65 on Saturday. Additionally, sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 35 mph appear possible across our far northwestern counties.

The National Weather Service Birmingham gives us some more insight on potential impacts to Central Alabama due to Hurricane Delta.

Rain: Potential for 1.5-2 inches of rainfall northwest of I-59.

Wind: Potential for gusts up to 35 mph northwest of I-59.

Tornados: Limited threat west of I-65 on Saturday

Impacts on the Northern Gulf Coast

According to the National Hurricane Center, there is an “increasing likelihood of life-threatening storm surge and dangerous hurricane-force winds, especially along the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi, beginning Friday.”

  • Tropical-storm-force winds may arrive at the Northern Gulf Coast Friday morning or earlier
  • Delta could bring some coastal flooding in low-lying areas and southern Louisiana as early as Thursday
  • I expect storm surge and hurricane watches to be issued later on for parts of the Northern Gulf Coast

I am continuing to monitor Hurricane Delta and what it means for our listening areas. We will bring you all necessary updates as Hurricane Delta progresses closer to the United States Northern coastline. Also, if at time time there is the potential for life-threating situations for our coverage areas we will bring you wall to wall coverage on our Townsquare Media radio stations. - @MaryKRadio 

UPDATE: (11:15 am) Current Watches and Warnings

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for High Island, Texas, to the Alabama/Florida border including Calcasieu Lake, Vermilion Bay, Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, Lake Borgne, and Mobile Bay.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Tulum to Dzilam Mexico Cozumel.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for High Island Texas to Grand Isle Louisiana.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Punta Herrero to Tulum Mexico and Dzilam to Progreso Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for San Luis Pass to the west of High Island Texas, East of Grand Isle Louisiana to Bay St. Louis Mississippi, including New Orleans Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

(Source) For more from the National Hurricane Center, click here. For more from the Weather Channel, click here.

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