Tropical Storm Gordon is bearing down on the Gulf Coast, prompting states of emergency in Mississippi, Louisiana and parts of Alabama.
The storm, bringing gusty winds, heavy rain and potential flooding, may strengthen into a hurricane by the time it makes landfall near the Mississippi and Alabama border Tuesday night.
Heavy rain and inland flooding are major concerns for Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas as the storm moves north over the next two days.
Some areas may see up to a foot of rain — especially near the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, as well as inland parts of Mississippi.
Storm surge is also a concern, potentially reaching as high as 5 feet.
“Nobody should panic but everybody should take this seriously,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said at a news conference Monday.
“Gordon is a tight, fast-moving tropical storm,” Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hastings said in a statement Tuesday. “If you live in the coastal counties, especially in surge and flood prone areas, it is imperative that you get to a safe place by early afternoon and stay there through Wednesday morning.”
Later this week, the remnants of Gordon is forecast merge with a cold front in the Midwest, bringing more rain and potentially more flooding to Arkansas and Missouri.
