The US Gulf Coast has been placed on alert as a tropical storm approaches this weekend, the first in this year’s Atlantic hurricane season.
Threatening damaging winds, heavy rain and high tides, Karen is forecast be at or near hurricane strength later today or early tomorrow as it hits the northern Gulf Coast.
Karen will become classified as a hurricane if sustained winds reach 74mph.
A hurricane watch has been issued for the coast from Grand Isle, Louisiana, east to Indian Pass, Florida.
Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared an emergency for 18 counties.
Heavy rain over the next few days could also affect parts of Cuba and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
The hurricane centre forecasters are exempt from the US government shutdown.
