Sally now Category 2 hurricane as storm takes aim at Gulf Coast
by Scripps National / Associated Press
WAVELAND, Miss. (AP) — A rapidly intensifying Hurricane Sally is closing on the northern Gulf Coast, threatening Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with high wind and possible flooding from storm surge and heavy rain.
Sally reached Category 2 strength with sustained winds of 100 mph (155 kph) and the potential for as much as 2 feet (0.6 meters) of rain.
It is one of five storms churning simultaneously in the Atlantic.
Storm-weary Gulf Coast residents are rushing to buy bottled water and other supplies ahead of Sally.
The storm is on a track that would take it past the tip of southeast Louisiana on a track toward the Mississippi-Alabama state line late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
"Sally a little stronger, additional strengthening expected tonight. Life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and flash flooding likely along portions of the northern Gulf Coast starting tonight and Tuesday," wrote the NHC in an update posted at 4 p.m. ET.
The NHC says data indicates Sally has rapidly strengthened and additional strengthening is forecast during the next day or so.