Tropical Storm Karen Highly Likely to Become Hurricane Over Gulf Coast

Tropical Storm Karen is likely to become a hurricane as a hurricane watch is in effect for parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast, where the storm is heading.

Tropical Storm Karen formed in the southeastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday and a hurricane watch is now in effect for Grand Isle, Louisiana, east to Indian Pass, Florida. The storm is expected to be centered over Florida by Saturday and it will be stronger at that point, CNN reports.

"Karen is expected to be at or near hurricane strength on Friday," according a center advisory.

The storm is setting off bells and whistles of the Federal Emergency Management Agency as they had to recall some workers that were furloughed among the government shutdown. It also activated its Hurricane Liaison Team at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. FEMA officials from Atlanta and Denton, Texas are on high alert and are keeping tabs on the storm.

"At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States, including in the Gulf Coast region, that are available to state and local partners if needed and requested," the agency said in a statement according to CNN.

There is also a tropical storm watch in effect from west of Grand Isle to Morgan City, Louisiana, which includes New Orleans, Lake Maurepas and Lake Ponchartrain.

New Orleans, which was attacked by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, has advised resident to keep track of the weather and stay alert.

Tropical Storm Karen formed between Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It has maximum sustained winds of 65mph and is moving slowly north-northwest at 12mph.

"Karen is expected to produce heavy rainfall over portions of western Cuba and the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula during the next day or so," NOAA said. The storm will almost certainly become a hurricane within the next two days.
Another storm, Tropical Depression Jerry is also hanging around the Atlantic Ocean and has sustained winds of 35mph. It will likely not touch land.