ABC News(MOBILE, Ala.) — Tropical Storm Gordon is bearing down on the Gulf Coast, prompting states of emergency in Mississippi, Louisiana and parts of Alabama.
The storm, bringing gusty winds, heavy rain and potential flooding, may strengthen into a hurricane by the time it makes landfall near the Mississippi and Alabama border Tuesday night.
Hurricane Warnings remain in effect for coastal Mississippi and Alabama.
Heavy rain and inland flooding are major concerns for Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas as the storm moves north over the next two days.
Some areas may see up to a foot of rain — especially near the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, as well as inland parts of Mississippi.
Storm surge is also a concern, potentially reaching as high as 5 feet.
“Nobody should panic but everybody should take this seriously,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said at a news conference Monday.
The Louisiana National Guard has activated approximately 200 soldiers and airmen, with an additional 150 guardsmen authorized to assist. The Alabama National Guard also has guardsmen on standby and ready to respond if needed.
“Approximately 50 Mississippi National Guardsmen are along the Gulf Coast in preparation for possible support in response to Tropical Storm Gordon,” the Mississippi National Guard said.
Once her Mississippi home was secure, Lisa Taranto-Merten brought her children to help fill sandbags for others in the community on Tuesday.
“We all kind of jumped in and helped each other,” she told ABC News.
The storm has prompted casinos to close in Mississippi.
“Gordon is a tight, fast-moving tropical storm,” Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hastings said in a statement Tuesday. “If you live in the coastal counties, especially in surge and flood prone areas, it is imperative that you get to a safe place by early afternoon and stay there through Wednesday morning.”
Later this week, the remnants of Gordon is forecast merge with a cold front in the Midwest, bringing more rain and potentially more flooding to Arkansas and Missouri.
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