Tropical Storm Gordon heads towards US Gulf Coast

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON

Tropical Storm Gordon is expected to become a hurricane just as it hits land near the Gulf Coast later Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The governors of Louisiana and Mississippi have declared state of emergencies as the storm draws near and the mayor of New Orleans has urged residents of the city to evacuate.

"I have declared a state of emergency in advance of Tropical Storm #Gordon, making state resources and personnel available to affected areas. Please stay weather-aware and follow @MSEMA for real-time information," Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant said on Twitter.

Numerous schools near the Louisiana and Mississippi coast have announced closures in anticipation of the storm.

Some parts of Mississippi are expected to receive up to 3 feet of rainfall, according to the National Hurricane Center. The Mississippi Emergency Operations Center noted that along with heavy rainfall, the biggest threats are hurricane-force winds and flooding.

Gordon became a tropical storm on Monday, and has been traveling westward after hitting the southern coast of Florida with heavy rains and winds. While the storm will to turn into a hurricane once it touches land somewhere between Louisiana and Mississippi, it is expected to immediately weaken, according to the National Hurricane Service.

The annual Atlantic hurricane season typically runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.