Hurricane Delta strengthens to Category 4 storm

Hurricane Delta became a Category 4 storm Tuesday as it continued on a trajectory towards Mexico’s southeastern region.

1120 AM EDT UPDATE: NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft report that Hurricane #Delta has rapidly strengthened into a dangerous category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. More info: https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/3vxNAOAN0l

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 6, 2020

After hitting Mexico, the storm is on track to hit the Gulf Coast.

In Mexico, the storm is expected to do the most damage along the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, an area known for resorts and local economies that heavily depend on tourism, according to The Associated Press.

“I honestly don’t see much that will stop it until it reaches Yucatan, due to low vertical wind shear, high deep-layer moisture, and the very warm and deep waters of the northwestern Caribbean,” National Hurricane Center forecaster Eric Blake said.

Jorge Zavala, the head of Mexico’s meteorological service, said Monday that the storm “presents an important danger for the coastal regions,” specifically citing the risks of the storm surge in the state of Quintana Roo.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration adjusted its projections for the hurricane’s track slightly westward in the early hours of Tuesday morning, but said it will likely hit southeast Louisiana Friday night or Saturday morning at Category 2 strength.

As of Tuesday, the hurricane’s center was about 370-miles east-southeast of the island of Cozumel, off Yucatan’s east coast, according to the AP.

“While there is large uncertainty in the track and intensity forecasts, there is a significant risk of dangerous storm surge, wind, and rainfall hazards along the coast from Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle beginning Thursday night or Friday. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place and monitor updates to the forecast of Delta,” the National Hurricane Center said.

Updated at 12:03 p.m.