Tropical Storm Gordon is set to become a Category 1 hurricane as it ploughs into land on Tuesday night.
The massive storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 65mph (100km/h), just 9mph from hurricane-strength, and is heading northwest at 15mph (24km/h).
Gordon is forecast to unleash a torrent of hazards when it hits, including torrential rain, powerful winds, life-threatening strom surges and tornadoes.
Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana have declared a state of emergency as the storm bears down.
The following watches and warnings are in place:
- A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for: Shell Beach to Dauphin Island
- A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for: West of Shell Beach to the Mouth of the Mississippi River, and East of Dauphin Island to Navarre
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for: Mouth of the Pearl River to the Alabama-Florida Border
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for: West of the Mouth of the Pearl River to Grand Isle, including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepa, and Alabama-Florida Border to Okaloosa-Walton County Line
Follow us below for all the live updates as the situation progresses. All update times in BST (six hours behind Central Standard Time)
Wednesday September 5
01.54am (7.54pm CST) update: Storm Gordon’s impact on Florida’s coastline
Even though Florida avoided a direct hit, from the Treasure Coast to Palm Beach County, Tropical Storm Gordon was strong enough to impact the coastline.
Parts of the St. Lucie County shoreline are now filled with seaweed, and the storm caused some erosion and helped create a 2-4 foot cliff on the beach.
00.42am (6.42pm CST) update: Gordon picks up “little strenght”
Tropical Storm Gordon has picked up “a little” strength and it is expected to make landfall by Tuesday night, officials said.
The NHC 5pm update reads: “On the forecast track, the centre of Gordon will make landfall along the north-central Gulf Coast within the hurricane warning area this evening or tonight, and move inland over the lower Mississippi Valley through Wednesday.”
“Some additional strengthening is still possible, and Gordon could become a hurricane before landfall occurs along the north-central Gulf Coast this evening.”
The storm is expected to quickly lose strength as it moves over land, the NHC said.
Tuesday September 4
11.32pm update (5.23pm CST) update: Gordon halts energy producton in US Gulf of Mexico
On Tuesday, energy companies cut 9 percent of US Gulf of Mexico oil and gas production.
According to the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, companies evacuated 54 offshore platforms and halted 156,907 barrels per day of oil production.
Martina Bet takes over reporting from Kate Whitfield
9.10pm update (3.10 CST) update: ‘Finish your preparations now’
FEMA has warned citizens to “finish your preparations now and keep a close eye on updates as impacts are expected today.”
Sustained tropical-storm-force winds are expected to begin moving onshore the northern Gulf of Mexico this afternoon.
8.40pm update (2.40pm CST) update: Potential hazards to land and life
A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water during the next 36 hours.
The NOAA states: “This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions.
“Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.”
A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening water inundation.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning areas.
8pm BST (2pm CST) update: Florida Panhandle battered by gusty winds and heavy rain
NOAA have released their 1pm update, which sees much of the same continuing action.
Tropical-storm-force winds are extending outward up to 80 miles (130 km) from the centre as South Floria takes a battering.
Some strengthening is expected later today, and Gordon is forecast to be a hurricane when it makes landfall along the north-central Gulf Coast.
7.25pm BST (1.25pm CST) update: Latest NOAA advisory says ‘squally’ weather hits as hurricane builds
The latest advisory from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said: “Outer rain-bands are producing squally weather along the coast of the western Florida panhandle.
“Gordon is expected to make landfall tonight as a hurricane.”
At 10am Central Time (4pm BST) on Tuesday, Gordon was churning about 145 miles (235km) east-southeast from the mouth of the Mississippi River.
The massive storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 65mph (100km/h) and is heading northwest at 15mph (24km/h).
NOAA forecasts the storm to continue on its current heading into Tuesday night along the north-central Gulf coast.
A northwestward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected after landfall, with a gradual turn toward the north-northwest.
On the forecast track, the centre of Gordon will move across the northern Gulf of Mexico, approaching the north-central Gulf Coast late on Tuesday, before moving inland over the lower Mississippi Valley into Wednesday.