Tropical Storm Delta Forecast to Become Hurricane, Hit Louisiana
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Tropical Storm Delta is forecast to become a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico later in the week of Oct. 5, clipping western Cuba and becoming the record 10th storm to hit the U.S. when it makes landfall between Louisiana and Florida by Oct. 9.
Its winds could reach 105 mph as it crosses the Gulf, making it a Category 2 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Oct. 5. It could even become a Category 3 major hurricane, said Adam Douty, a meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc.
Delta is this year’s 25th named system, only the second time that mark has been reached in records going back to 1851. It’s also the earliest point at which that many storms have been recorded. If it does strike the Gulf Coast, it would be a record 10th storm to hit the U.S. this year, Douty said. An all-time high of 28 storms formed in 2005, including deadly Hurricane Katrina, which inundated New Orleans.
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On its current path, the storm will likely cause oil and natural gas production offshore of Louisiana to shut down, and it poses a threat to onshore refineries and shipping, said Jim Rouiller, lead meteorologist with the Energy Weather Group. Output from the Gulf has been disrupted several times this year from tropical storms and hurricanes moving through the region.
“Expect widespread shut-ins of rigs and platforms across the upper Gulf Coast over next two days,” Rouiller said. “Significant impact and disruption to the U.S. energy production area of the upper Gulf is likely as the week wears on.”
The storm is still south of Jamaica and is gathering strength as it moves toward the Cayman Islands, where a tropical storm warning has been issued, the center said. A hurricane watch has also been posted for parts of Cuba.
The National Hurricane Center has used up all the names on its official list and has begun designating systems with Greek letters.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Gamma is sliding southwest along the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, bring flooding rains and the potential for mudslides across the region.
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