The dangerous hurricane Delta moves through the Gulf of Mexico on its way to the southern coast of the United States, after having impacted on the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico), where it caused flooding and economic damage.
At 24:00 GMT, Delta, with maximum sustained winds of 155 miles (185 kilometers) per hour, giving it category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale out of 5, was at 310 miles (500 kilometers) south of Cameron (Louisiana).
The hurricane, which could gain even more power before reaching the United States, is moving at 12 miles (19 kilometers) per hour to the northwest and is going to stay that course until the night, when it will turn north, and depart Friday night to the northeast.
The impact zone, according to NHC advisories, ranges from Sabine Pass to Morgan City on the Louisiana coast, but advisories are also in effect for coastal areas of Texas and Mississippi.
Authorities have urged people in the area to prepare and seek refuge in safe places, and Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency on Tuesday.
According to the Accuweather portal, it will be the first time in history that a hurricane named after the Greek alphabet – they are used when the annual list of names is finished – makes landfall on US soil.
In this very active hurricane season in the Atlantic, ten named storms have made landfall on the continental US, according to that media.
Delta’s hurricane-force winds extend up to 35 miles (55 kilometers) from the center and tropical storm winds (weaker) up to 125 miles (205 kilometers).
Delta’s greatest danger to the coast is sea level rise from a combination of storm surge and tide, which can reach a maximum of 11 feet (3.3 meters) somewhere in Louisiana.
But in addition, Delta will dump heavy rains that can lead to flash floods and river overflows, lead to tornadoes in Louisiana and Mississippi, and produce heavy swells in the northern and western Gulf of Mexico.