Radar Image courtesy of National Hurricane Center
Once again, Mississippi is keeping a close eye on a major hurricane that is forecast to make landfall later this week along the Gulf Coast.
According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Delta has rapidly strengthened to become a Category 4 storm with maximum winds reaching 130 mph. The latest update from the National Hurricane Center shows the storm making landfall near New Orleans between Friday night and Saturday morning.
“The latest update now has Delta reaching major hurricane status in the northwest Caribbean Sea while approaching the Yucatan Peninsula. By Thursday, Delta is expected to make a turn towards the north. At this time, impacts along the northern Gulf coast remain very possible with this system including the potential for heavy rainfall leading to flooding, coastal flooding from storm surge, high winds and isolated tornadoes. NOW is the time to have a plan in place if you live anywhere in southeastern Louisiana or southern Mississippi” – NWS New Orleans.
Current projections show Delta maintaining its status as a hurricane as it makes its way across the state of Mississippi.
If current projections hold, AccuWeather states that Delta would become the “first-ever hurricane named after a Greek letter to strike the U.S.”
As Delta approaches, take the time to make or review your evacuation plan and prepare your emergency kit, which should include the following:
