Nate on course to hit US Gulf Coast as hurricane

Tropical Storm Nate looks likely to hit the US Gulf Coast as a hurricane over the weekend.

The warning from forecasters prompted officials in Louisiana to declare a state of emergency and evacuate some coastal areas and barrier islands as well as off-shore oil platforms in the Gulf.

Nate was roaring toward Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula yesterday, the US National Hurricane Center said, after drenching Central America in rain that was blamed for at least 22 deaths and extensive flooding.