Tropical Storm Karen has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is aiming for several of the Gulf states.
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY 11:49 a.m. EDT October 3, 2013
Tropical Storm Karen is forecast to make landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast on Saturday.(Photo: National Hurricane Center)
[h=3]Story Highlights[/h]
Tropical Storm Karen has formed in the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center reported Thursday morning, becoming the 11th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
As of 11 a.m. ET, the storm had winds of 65 mph. It was located about 485 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River and was moving north-northwest at 12 mph.
Karen could become a hurricane before making landfall, reports AccuWeather. A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when its winds reach 74 mph.
The storm should make landfall somewhere along the Gulf Coast by Saturday night.
TWITTER: Follow USA TODAY Weather
Hurricane and tropical storm watches have been posted for the U.S. Gulf Coast from Florida to Louisiana.
A hurricane watch is in effect from Grand Isle, La., to Indian Pass, Fla., while a tropical storm watch is in effect for metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Ponchartrain and Lake Maurepas, as well as the Gulf Coast from west of Grand Isle to Morgan City, La.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, while a tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions could occur.
Rainfall totals of from 4 to 8 inches can be expected to the east of where the storm makes landfall, reports meteorologist Jeff Masters of the Weather Underground. Some minor coastal flooding is also possible.
LOCAL COVERAGE: Pensacola News-Journal
The highest odds of tropical storm-force winds are along the coast from Buras, La., to Pensacola, Fla.
"Wind gusts in the neighborhood of 60 mph can cause minor property damage, downed trees and power outages," reports AccuWeather meteorologist Michael Doll.
Preparations are already underway in Florida: Pensacola Beach Public Safety Director Bob West said lifeguard towers and trash cans will be removed from the beach and secured today or Friday.
Contributing: Kevin Robinson, Pensacola News-Journal
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY 11:49 a.m. EDT October 3, 2013
Tropical Storm Karen is forecast to make landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast on Saturday.(Photo: National Hurricane Center)
[h=3]Story Highlights[/h]
- Karen is the 11th named storm of the season
- It could become a hurricane before landfall
- The storm has winds of 65 mph
Tropical Storm Karen has formed in the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center reported Thursday morning, becoming the 11th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
As of 11 a.m. ET, the storm had winds of 65 mph. It was located about 485 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River and was moving north-northwest at 12 mph.
Karen could become a hurricane before making landfall, reports AccuWeather. A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when its winds reach 74 mph.
The storm should make landfall somewhere along the Gulf Coast by Saturday night.
TWITTER: Follow USA TODAY Weather
Hurricane and tropical storm watches have been posted for the U.S. Gulf Coast from Florida to Louisiana.
A hurricane watch is in effect from Grand Isle, La., to Indian Pass, Fla., while a tropical storm watch is in effect for metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Ponchartrain and Lake Maurepas, as well as the Gulf Coast from west of Grand Isle to Morgan City, La.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, while a tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions could occur.
Rainfall totals of from 4 to 8 inches can be expected to the east of where the storm makes landfall, reports meteorologist Jeff Masters of the Weather Underground. Some minor coastal flooding is also possible.
LOCAL COVERAGE: Pensacola News-Journal
The highest odds of tropical storm-force winds are along the coast from Buras, La., to Pensacola, Fla.
"Wind gusts in the neighborhood of 60 mph can cause minor property damage, downed trees and power outages," reports AccuWeather meteorologist Michael Doll.
Preparations are already underway in Florida: Pensacola Beach Public Safety Director Bob West said lifeguard towers and trash cans will be removed from the beach and secured today or Friday.
Contributing: Kevin Robinson, Pensacola News-Journal