Tropical Storm Karen threatens to become the first named tropical system to menace the United States this year. VPC
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY 9:28 a.m. EDT October 4, 2013
A couple walks along the beach on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, in Gulfport, Miss. Preparations are underway along the Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Karen approaches land.(Photo: Amanda Mccoy)
[h=3]Story Highlights[/h]
Tropical Storm Karen continued its path toward the Gulf Coast Friday, with landfall expected sometime late Saturday or early Sunday morning.
As of 8 a.m. Friday, Karen had maximum winds of 60 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm was about 275 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River and was moving northwest at 10 mph.
The storm could become a hurricane as it approaches land. A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when its winds reach 74 mph.
INTERACTIVE STORM TRACKER: Track the projected path of Karen
A hurricane watch was in effect from Grand Isle, La., to west of Destin, Fla. A tropical storm warning was issued for the Louisiana coast from Grand Isle to the mouth of the Pearl River, including the New Orleans area.
Karen would be the second named storm to hit the U.S. this year, with the first being Tropical Storm Andrea, which hit Florida in June.
Near and just east of where Karen makes landfall, minor coastal flooding is possible, AccuWeather meteorologist Michael Doll reports. Wind gusts close to 65 mph can cause minor property damage, downed trees and power outages.
In Alabama, safety workers Thursday hoisted double red flags at Gulf Shores because of treacherous rip currents ahead of the storm.
In Mississippi, Gov. Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency, urging residents to prepare. State Emergency Management Agency Director Robert Latham said local schools will decide whether to play football games. He said the southern part of the state could have tropical storm-force winds by late Friday.
"I know that Friday night football in the South is a big thing, but I don't think anybody wants to risk a life because of the potential winds," Latham said.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also declared a state of emergency, citing the possibility of high winds, heavy rain and tides. Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared an emergency for 18 counties.
Traffic at the mouth of the Mississippi River was stopped Friday morning in advance of the storm.
The Army Corps of Engineers said it was closing a structure intended to keep storm surge out of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal in Louisiana — known locally as the Industrial Canal — where levee breaches during Hurricane Katrina led to catastrophic flooding in 2005.
Mayor David Camardelle of Grand Isle, La., an inhabited barrier island and tourist town about 60 miles south of New Orleans, called for voluntary evacuations as he declared an emergency Thursday afternoon.
Offshore, at least two oil companies said they were evacuating non-essential personnel and securing rigs and platforms.
In Washington, the White House said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was recalling some workers furloughed due to the government shutdown to prepare for the storm.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said President Barack Obama was being updated about the storm. He said Obama directed his team to ensure staffing and resources are available to respond to the storm.
Contributing: Associated Press
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY 9:28 a.m. EDT October 4, 2013
A couple walks along the beach on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, in Gulfport, Miss. Preparations are underway along the Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Karen approaches land.(Photo: Amanda Mccoy)
[h=3]Story Highlights[/h]
- The storm could briefly reach hurricane strength before hitting land.
- It now has winds of 60 mph.
- The storm should bring heavy rain with the potential for storm surge.
Tropical Storm Karen continued its path toward the Gulf Coast Friday, with landfall expected sometime late Saturday or early Sunday morning.
As of 8 a.m. Friday, Karen had maximum winds of 60 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm was about 275 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River and was moving northwest at 10 mph.
The storm could become a hurricane as it approaches land. A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when its winds reach 74 mph.
INTERACTIVE STORM TRACKER: Track the projected path of Karen
A hurricane watch was in effect from Grand Isle, La., to west of Destin, Fla. A tropical storm warning was issued for the Louisiana coast from Grand Isle to the mouth of the Pearl River, including the New Orleans area.
Karen would be the second named storm to hit the U.S. this year, with the first being Tropical Storm Andrea, which hit Florida in June.
Near and just east of where Karen makes landfall, minor coastal flooding is possible, AccuWeather meteorologist Michael Doll reports. Wind gusts close to 65 mph can cause minor property damage, downed trees and power outages.
In Alabama, safety workers Thursday hoisted double red flags at Gulf Shores because of treacherous rip currents ahead of the storm.
In Mississippi, Gov. Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency, urging residents to prepare. State Emergency Management Agency Director Robert Latham said local schools will decide whether to play football games. He said the southern part of the state could have tropical storm-force winds by late Friday.
"I know that Friday night football in the South is a big thing, but I don't think anybody wants to risk a life because of the potential winds," Latham said.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also declared a state of emergency, citing the possibility of high winds, heavy rain and tides. Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared an emergency for 18 counties.
Traffic at the mouth of the Mississippi River was stopped Friday morning in advance of the storm.
The Army Corps of Engineers said it was closing a structure intended to keep storm surge out of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal in Louisiana — known locally as the Industrial Canal — where levee breaches during Hurricane Katrina led to catastrophic flooding in 2005.
Mayor David Camardelle of Grand Isle, La., an inhabited barrier island and tourist town about 60 miles south of New Orleans, called for voluntary evacuations as he declared an emergency Thursday afternoon.
Offshore, at least two oil companies said they were evacuating non-essential personnel and securing rigs and platforms.
In Washington, the White House said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was recalling some workers furloughed due to the government shutdown to prepare for the storm.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said President Barack Obama was being updated about the storm. He said Obama directed his team to ensure staffing and resources are available to respond to the storm.
Contributing: Associated Press