Hurricane warnings issued in Alabama, Mississippi as Tropical Storm Gordon approaches
DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. — Gordon is on track to become the first tropical storm to make landfall in the U.S. this season. Warnings are up in Alabama and Mississippi.
The western end of Alabama's Dauphin Island has proved to be one of the most hazardous places in the country since it's prone to heavy flooding. Large storms seem to roll in every year. Last year it was Hurricane Nate wreaking havoc.
Gordon is expected to unleash 75 mph winds and drop four to eight inches of rain, with storm surges reaching five feet.
But that doesn't seem to worry the locals.
"It's nature doing its thing... it's pretty awesome," said Donna Saey, who was raised in the area.
"Anything on the left side is constantly washed, roads torn up, being rebuilt," she said.
The West End Beach just reopened in May after the parking lot was wiped out by Hurricane Nate. Across the Gulf Coast, others are bracing for the storm, where punishing surf and rain has begun.
With memories of Katrina still lingering in New Orleans, officials issued a voluntary evacuation order for area's outside the city's levee protection system. But Mayor Latoya Cantrell says they are prepared.
"We've got the pumps and power we believe we need, again, to be safe and to protect our residents," Cantrell said.