A tropical depression is approaching the U.S. Gulf Coast, bringing potential dangers such as storm surges, heavy rainfall, and strong winds to multiple states this week.
Monday afternoon, the depression was approximately 105 miles south of Panama City, Florida, with sustained winds reaching 35 mph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center predicted that the depression would strengthen, becoming a tropical storm soon.
Currently, the system is advancing northwest at 3 mph, and its path is expected to bring it close to, or along, the northern Gulf Coast over several days.
Weather Alerts Issued
A storm surge watch spans from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Alabama-Florida border. Additionally, a tropical storm watch is active from the Ochlockonee River in Florida westward to southeastern Louisiana at the Jefferson and Plaquemines parish line.
The National Weather Service in New Orleans forecasts that storm conditions might begin affecting the area from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana by Tuesday. They have issued warnings for possible 40 mph wind gusts and a potentially “life-threatening” storm surge for coasts in Alabama, Mississippi, and southeastern Louisiana.
Potential Impacts
Storm surges could reach up to four feet along the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines. The hurricane center also highlighted the risk of isolated tornadoes over the Florida Big Bend area.
The region may experience flash flooding until Friday, affecting areas from western Florida to central Texas. Anticipated rainfall in the Louisiana coastline is between three and five inches, with higher amounts expected south of Lake Pontchartrain.
Tropical Storm Fausto in Pacific
In the eastern Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Fausto is gaining strength and nearing hurricane status. Situated far out at sea from Mexico, Fausto’s winds are at 70 mph, and it is located roughly 745 miles southwest of Baja California Peninsula.
The hurricane center has confirmed that Fausto is traveling northwest at 10 mph, posing no immediate threat to land.