LDH reports 506 new cases and 20 new hospitalizations
October 6, 2020
Section of LA 308 closes in Thibodaux for water line repairs
October 6, 2020
Hurricane Delta continues to the northwest at Category 4 strength with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. No major changes in the forecast track with impacts, some significant, possible across SE LA and S MS later this week/weekend.
At 2 p.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Delta was located over the northwest Caribbean Sea about 260 miles (420 km) east-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. Delta is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h). A west-northwestward to northwestward motion is expected over the next couple of days. A slower northwestward to north-northwest motion is forecast to begin by late Wednesday or Wednesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Delta is expected to continue to pass southwest of the Cayman Islands through early this afternoon, and move over the northeastern portion of the Yucatan peninsula late tonight or early Wednesday. Delta is forecast to move over the southern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday afternoon, and be over the southern or central Gulf of Mexico through Thursday.
Reports from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts – a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km). Some additional strengthening is possible during the next 24 hours, and Delta is forecast to be an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane when it reaches the Yucatan peninsula Wednesday. Although some weakening is likely when Delta moves over the Yucatan peninsula, re-strengthening is forecast when the hurricane moves over the southern Gulf of Mexico.
There is an increasing likelihood of life-threatening storm surge and dangerous hurricane-force winds, especially along the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi, beginning on Friday. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place and monitor updates to the forecast.
The next complete advisory will be issued by NHC at 5 p.m. EDT
