Gulf coast on hurricane alert as US braces for tropical storm Karen
Landfall is expected late Saturday or early Sunday morning
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Parts of the Gulf Coast are on hurricane alert as Tropical Storm Karen continues towards the coastline.
Communities across southeast Louisiana to Florida are still making preparations for the storm, after being put on hurricane watch.
Grand Isle mayor David Camardelle, whose Louisiana community is often the first to order an evacuation in the face of a tropical weather system, said the town is making sure it's ready to face the storm.
"Hopefully, this one is just a little rain event," said Camardelle. "We don't need a big storm coming at us this late in the season."
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Karen was about 250 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River this morning, moving north-northwest at 10 mph. It had maximum winds of 50mph.
A storm technically becomes a hurricane once its winds reach 74mph, and the National Hurricane Center said today: "It has become less likely that Karen will reach hurricane strength."
Karen would be the second named storm to hit the US this year, after Tropical Storm Andrea hit Florida in June.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments