Category 3 Hurricane Delta Approaches Louisiana Coast 

According to the latest National Hurricane Center’s tropical advisory update, Hurricane Delta is a Category 3 storm, expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and rainfall flooding to Louisiana and east Texas to Mississippi on Friday evening. 

As of 0500 ET, Delta is 200 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds around 120 mph, making it a major hurricane, and is expected to strike the same area ravaged by Hurricane Laura in late August. 

Hurricane Delta Update 

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On Wednesday, Delta made landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula. By Thursday, the storm quickly intensified over warmer Gulf of Mexico water as its strength on Friday morning appears to be leveling off with 120 mph winds. 

The Weather Channel said hurricane warnings had been posted from High Island, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana, including Lake Charles and Lafayette, Louisiana; and Port Arthur, Texas.

Watches And Warnings 

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A storm surge warning has also been issued from High Island, Texas, to the Pearl River, Louisiana, including Calcasieu Lake, Vermilion Bay, and Lake Borgne. 

Storm Surge Forecast Above Ground Level

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Hurricane Delta, the 25th named storm of the super active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, is expected to make landfall this evening around the Cameron, Louisiana.

Up to 15 inches of rain could be dumped across the southwest into south-central Louisiana through Sunday.

Rainfall Potential Through Sunday

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Wind Gust Forecast Throughout Friday 

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Power Outage Potential 

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Severe Thunderstorm Forecast 

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On Thursday night, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Delta was set to make landfall near areas already affected by Laura in late August. 

“And we believe that there will be hurricane-force winds and storm surge in southwest Louisiana, in the area of our state that is least prepared to take it,” Edwards said at a press conference. 

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To the people of Southwest Louisiana, I know you are strong. I also know you’re about to be tested again. Please finish making preparations now. We will get through this. #lagov #Delta #HurricaneDelta #lawx pic.twitter.com/vVhrmaOCu9

— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) October 9, 2020

As for the oil and gas assets that sit offshore, Reuters reports Delta could be one of the “greatest blow to U.S. offshore Gulf of Mexico production in 15 years, halting most of the region’s oil and nearly two-thirds of its natural gas output.”

“Delta has shut 1.67 million barrels per day, or 92% of the Gulf’s oil output, the most since 2005 when Hurricane Katrina destroyed more than 100 offshore platforms and hobbled output for months,” Reuters said. 

Offshore Gulf Of Mexico Production Assets

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Residents are fleeing Lake Charles, again, as Delta approaches. 

On I-10 about 15 miles west of #LakeCharles…backed up for miles and miles. Residents in this already storm-battered area appear to be listening to warnings ahead of #HurricaneDelta @NBCNightlyNews @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/G7LUeMuJlU

— Sam Brock (@SamBrockNBC) October 8, 2020

Another disturbance behind Delta? 

In addition to Hurricane #Delta , we are tracking a tropical wave located several hundred miles SW of the Cape Verde Islands expected to move West or WNW with a low potential of cyclone development over the next 5 days. Hurricane Season isn’t over until end of November! @CBSMiami pic.twitter.com/48Mc5AQWSx

— Lissette Gonzalez (@LissetteCBS4) October 9, 2020