Tropical Storm Karen has developed in the Caribbean, and will soon make its way to the southern portion of the United States.
Hurricane watches have been issued from Grand Isle, La. to Indian Pass, Fla., but the Weather Channel reported on Thursday that the warnings do not apply to metropolitan New Orleans. Tropical storm warnings, however, have been released for metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas, in addition to the Gulf Coast from west of Grand Isle to Morgan City, La.
By 11 a.m. EST on Thursday, the storm was moving north-northwest from 485 miles south of the Mississippi river, with winds of 65 mph, USA Today reported. Karen could rise to hurricane level before making landfall, which should occur along the Gulf Coast by Saturday night.
Residents of the watch areas should prepare for high winds, especially near the point of landfall, along with heavy rain and potential flooding. Meteorologist Jeff Masters of the Weather Underground wagered there could be anywhere from four to eight inches of rain in the locations east of the storm's landfall, which is still unknown.
"Wind gusts in the neighborhood of 60 mph can cause minor property damage, downed trees and power outages," AccuWeather meteorologist Michael Doll reported.
The most forceful winds will likely hit along the coast from Buras, La. to Penascola, Fla. Officials in the area have already begun bearing up for the possibility of extreme weather - Penascola Beach Public Safety Director Bob West stated that lifeguard towers and trash cans will be taken from beaches, either today or Friday.
Karen will be the eleventh named storm of the hurricane season in the Atlantic.
Track the storm here.
