NEW ORLEANS – Tropical Storm Gordon made landfall late Tuesday and as of early Wednesday was located 40 miles west of Mobile, Alabama, and tracked northwest at 14 mph.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 50 mph with higher gusts. Continued rapid weakening is expected while the system moves over land, and Gordon is forecast to become a tropical depression later this morning.
States of emergency exist in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Earlier Tuesday, the Louisiana National Guard, as directed by Gov. John Bel Edwards, had activated about 200 Soldiers and Airmen ahead of the storm.
In addition to 35 high-water vehicles and boats staged across the state in possible affected areas, the LANG had four helicopters ready to support search and rescue, evacuation and recon missions as needed.
As of Wednesday, three Louisiana Guard troops remained on duty; Alabama had 37 and Mississippi had 52.