Evacuations underway as Sally targets New Orleans, gulf states

NEW ORLEANS - Tropical Storm Sally is strengthening as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico, taking aim at southern Louisiana and Mississippi, and National Weather Service projections show the system could become a hurricane by Monday afternoon.

Hurricane watches and storm warnings have been put in place throughout the gulf, including parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, according to Weather.com.

The storm is expected to make landfall late Tuesday in Louisiana, followed by the system moving into South Mississippi, according to the National Weather Service Birmingham.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency as the storm approaches.

“While we ultimately don’t know where Sally will make landfall, much of Southeast Louisiana is in the storm’s cone and the risk of tropical storm force or hurricane strength winds continues to increase. Please stay weather aware for the next several days and heed the directions of your local officials. This storm has the potential to be very serious,” Edwards said in a statement.

After being pummeled by Hurricane Laura approximately two weeks ago, Edwards urged residents to take the incoming storm system seriously.