Category 1 storm makes landfall, is forecast to weaken
Hurricane Nate rolled into the mouth of the Mississippi River on Saturday night as a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, the National Hurricane Center reported, with predictions it would quickly begin to lose strength.
The storm made landfall about 10 miles southwest of the Mississippi River’s mouth, or about 100 miles south of Biloxi. Forecasters said that while wind speeds had dropped, Nate still would bring the potential for heavy storm surges, depending on how the winds and tides combined.
The National Weather Service downgraded the hurricane warning for New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain to a tropical storm warning and discontinued the hurricane watch for Lake Maurepas. A hurricane warning remained in effect for Grand Isle, La., to the Alabama- Florida border.
Forecasters initially predicted Nate would gain strength.
“Strengthening now appears unlikely before Nate’s center reaches the Mississippi coast during the next few hours,” the hurricane center reported. “Rapid weakening is expected after landfall, with Nate becoming a tropical depression by Sunday night” when its center is forecast to be over the Knoxville area and Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.
The new forecast came as good news to hurricane- weary residents in four Gulf Coast states, which had declared emergency measures, including mandatory evacuations, curfews, beach closures and traffic blockades at flood- prone underpasses.
The Interior Department said crews were plucked off five drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and other rigs were moved out of the storm’s path as the storm approached. Nate already had killed at least 21 people in Central America.
uIn Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards urged residents to take the warnings seriously, saying the storm “has the potential to do a lot of damage.”
“We do want people to be very, very cautious and to not take this storm for granted,” he said.
The Louisiana National Guard mobilized 1,300 troops and positioned high- water vehicles, boats and even school buses from Baton Rouge to New Orleans for potential rescues.
President Trump approved an emergency declaration for a large area of the state and ordered federal assistance for Louisiana as Nate approached the central Gulf of Mexico.
In New Orleans, Mayor Mitch Landrieu said 109 of the 120 pumps critical for draining the low- lying city are functioning — a 92% capacity. “We are ready for whatever Nate brings our way,” Landrieu said.
Landrieu lifted the city’s curfew about 9: 45 p. m. ET. Some of the watering holes along the well- known bar- hopping Bourbon Street had closed, but others stayed open despite the curfew. The streets were not as crowded as on a typical Saturday night.
uIn Mississippi, Gov. Phil Bryant de- clared a state of emergency in the six southernmost counties. State officials warned that Nate’s main danger was the possibility of up to 10 feet of storm surge in low- lying coastal areas as well as from winds that could damage mobile homes.
“This is the most dangerous hurricane to hit Mississippi since Katrina, make no mistake,” said Director Lee Smithson of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. He warned people to be prepared to be self- sufficient for at least 72 hours. A 7 p. m. to 7 a. m. curfew was ordered for Jackson County just east of Biloxi, where the brunt of Nate was expected. Casinos and resorts along the coast shut down.
uIn Alabama, along the Gulf Coast, some communities imposed mandatory curfews from Saturday evening through Sunday morning. They also ordered beaches and fishing piers closed and issued voluntary evacuation orders.
uIn Florida, Gov. Rick Scott said the hurricane could bring not just storm surges and strong winds to the Panhandle but also tornadoes.
“We are ready for whatever Nate brings our way.” New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu