Tropical Storm Nate, a Possible Category 2 Hurricane When it Makes US Landfall Late Saturday/Early Sunday

Nate is currently moving across the Caribbean Sea, and will impact overnight Cancún on the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula with expected 65-70 mph winds before entering into the Gulf of Mexico at a fast 21 mph forward motion, which will keep this storm from strengthening greatly since it will not be lingering over the warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

Once in the Gulf of Mexico, tropical storm Nate is projected to approach southeastern Louisiana and is expected to make landfall late Saturday/early Sunday as a possible category 2 hurricane, arriving east of New Orleans between Gulfport and Mobile, Alabama. 

John Bel Edwards, the Governor of Louisiana, declared a state of emergency on Thursday (5 October 2017) as the state braced itself for a direct hit from Nate. Thirteen hundred National Guard troops have also been mobilized, with 15 soldiers going directly to New Orleans to assist and monitor the still troubled pump and drainage system there.

On Friday afternoon, during a press conference, Governor Edwards instructed Louisianans who are located in the affected areas to gather all their supplies now, and plan to be ready and positioned to hunker down by 8:00 p.m. Saturday.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has declared a state of emergency for the city in advance of the approaching storm. Mayor Landrieu is warning that areas outside of the levee protection system might see a storm surge of between three to six feet, or even higher. Governor Edwards also announced a citywide curfew for New Orleans will go into effect starting at 7:00 p.m. Saturday.

St. Bernard Parish, five miles southeast of downtown New Orleans, has declared a state of emergency in the parish, and has issued a mandatory evacuation order for all residents outside of the levee protection system.

St. John the Baptist Parish, thirty miles northwest of New Orleans, has issued a voluntary evacuation for parish areas north of the Interstate 55 exit ramp, specifically Peavine, Frenier and Manchac.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency which went into effect at 7:00 a.m. on Friday (6 October 2017). Governor Ivey announced at a press conference that while the coast will experience the worst of the storm, Birmingham is expected to experience strong winds and rain. In preparation of the coming storm, residents are being advised to have located and positioned themselves in a safe place to ride out the weather.

On Thursday, Florida Govenor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 29 countries in the state.

On Friday, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant on Friday signed a State of Emergency and an Executive Order authorizing the use of the Mississippi National Guard as Tropical Storm Nate advances.

Nate is expected to remain on land, dumping rain and wind all the way into New England before it turns back out toward the ocean sometime late Tuesday. 

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What Damage Tropical Storm Nate Has Left Behind Already

After tropical storm Nate strengthened off the coast of Nicaragua, it pounded Central America on Thursday (5 October 2017) with rain heavy and winds, which caused deadly flash floods and mudslides. As the heavy rains continues, the National Hurricane Center projects Central America could see up to fifteen inches of rain in some areas over the weekend.

Reports indicate at least 22 people have died, with Nicaragua listing fifteen dead while Costa Rica lists seven dead and an additional fifteen or more missing.

A vehicle crossing a bridge over a high river due to hard rains in Sabanilla area in Alajuelita, Costa Rica, Oct. 5, 2017.

Nicaragua

Hurricane Nate Hits Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras 

RAW VIDEO — Puerto Lempira, Cancún, Nicaragua, Honduras Costa Rica