The latest: Hurricane Delta has weakened to a Category 1 storm after making landfall as a Category 2 near Creole, Louisiana, earlier this evening.
A historic season: Delta is the 10th named storm to make landfall in the US this season, setting the record for the most in one year. It’s the fifth hurricane to make landfall, the most storms the US has seen since 2005.
Our live coverage of the hurricane has ended for the evening.
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Delta made landfall tonight. Here's what you need to know about the hurricane.
Hurricane Delta made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 storm this evening. It’s since weakened into a Category 1 as it continues to dump rain and bring heavy winds to the US Gulf Coast.
Here’s what we know now about the storm:
Two hurricanes in six weeks: Hurricane Delta made landfall near Creole, Louisiana. The area area is still recovering from Hurricane Laura, which hit just six weeks ago. Laura, a Category 4 storm, made landfall near near Cameron, Louisiana.
Flooding across the South: About 5.5 million people are under flash flood watches from Louisiana through southwest Tennessee. In Louisiana, rainfall could exceed flash flood levels across most of the state, the National Weather Service said. Rain totals could reach 5 to 10 inches in most places, forecasters predicted. A few areas could see as much as 15 inches of rain.
Delta set records: Delta is the 10th named storm to make landfall in the US this season, setting the record for the most in one year. It’s the fifth hurricane to make landfall, the most storms the US has seen since 2005.
Where Delta’s going next: The storm will continue on its path northeastward, and should reach Mississippi tomorrow and Tennessee on Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center’s track. You can follow the storm’s path here.
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Hurricane Delta weakens to a Category 1 storm
Hurricane Delta is now a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 8 p.m. ET update.
The hurricane made landfall near Creole, Louisiana, as a Category 2 storm earlier this evening.
While the storm has weakened, the center warned that “hurricane conditions and a life-threatening storm surge occurring within the warning area.”
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Here's what it's like in Lake Charles, Louisiana, right now
CNN’s Martin Savidge is in Lake Charles, Louisiana, which is about 40 miles north of Creole, where Hurricane Delta made landfall earlier this evening,
Heavy rain and wind is hitting the city as the storm moves through.
“Well, the wind gusts have picked up dramatically, the rain has just been non-stop,” Savidge said.
Hurricane-force wind gusts reported along Louisiana and Texas coasts
From CNN's Gene Norman
Hurricane-force wind gusts were recorded along the coasts of Louisiana and Texas today.
Here is a sampling of the gusts reported by the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:
Lake Arthur, Louisiana – 96 mph
Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana – 89 mph
Texas Point, Texas – 82 mph
Cameron, Louisiana – 78 mph
Lake Charles, Louisiana – 75 mph
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More than 200,000 customers without power on the Gulf Coast after Delta's landfall
From CNN's Hollie Silverman
More than 200,000 customers are without power in Texas and Louisiana after Hurricane Delta made landfall moments ago, according to Poweroutage.US.
Delta made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane near Creole, Louisiana, with estimated winds near 100 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
At least 137,050 customers are without power in Louisiana, with the bulk of outages being reported in the southwest part of the state, the website shows.
Calcasieu Parish is reporting 34,129 outages, Vermillion Parish is reporting 15,359 outages and Beauregard Parish is reporting 12,587, according to the website.
In Texas, at least 66,307 customers are without power.
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Delta makes landfall on Louisiana
From CNN's Dave Hennen
Hurricane Delta just made landfall near Creole, Louisiana, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The estimated winds were near 100 mph, making Delta a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Sustained hurricane-force winds of 77 mph, with a gust to 96 mph was recently reported near Lake Arthur, Louisiana, and a storm surge inundation of over 8 feet was recorded at Freshwater Canal Locks.
Now that the storm is inland, further weakening is expected, but damaging winds and life-threatening storm surge will continue.
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Nearly 115,000 customers without power as hurricane approaches the Gulf Coast
From CNN's Hollie Silverman
Nearly 115,000 customers are without power as of Friday evening as Hurricane Delta takes aim at the Gulf Coast, according to Poweroutage.US.
There are 64,055 customers without power in Louisiana, where the storm is expected to make landfall in the next few hours, the website said.
The parishes with the highest numbers of outages are Calcasieu, with 16,273 outages, Beauregard with 7,526, Vermillion with 8,466, and Iberia with 7,488, according to the website.
In Texas, 50,989 customers are without power, the bulk of them along the eastern part of the state. In Jefferson County, 29,544 outages were reported and 10,015 have been reported in Orange County, the website said.
Some context: Two weeks ago, Entergy announced that they had restored power to all accessible customers in southwest Louisiana following damage caused by Hurricane Laura in August.
At the peak, Laura left more than 93,000 customers in the state without power.
When reached by email Friday, Entergy did not provide numbers of people still without power in Louisiana but did say that all customers who could have their power restored did.
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Hurricane Delta is just 25 miles off the Louisiana coast
In total, seven rigs and 274 platforms have been evacuated with more than a dozen structured being repositioned out of the Delta’s path.
Here’s the full break down:
Gulf of Mexico federal offshore oil production accounts for 17% of total US crude oil production.
Facilities won’t be brought back online until passing a thorough inspection following the hurricane.
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Delta will make landfall in the next few hours
Hurricane Delta will make landfall on the southwestern Louisiana coast during the next few hours, the National Hurricane Center says.
Hurricane conditions and a life-threatening storm surge are expected in the landfall area.
Landfall is when the center of the storm crosses the coastline.
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Extended power outages expected again in Louisiana
From CNN meteorologist Tyler Mauldin
Hurricane Delta is expected to cause extended power outages in parts of Louisiana still recovering from major Hurricane Laura six weeks ago.
Laura caused the most catastrophic damage to the grid in the company’s history, Entergy Louisiana said after Laura passed through. Now, they are already are seeing power outages increase as Delta nears the coast.
As of 4 p.m. ET, nearly 20,000 residents in Louisiana are already in the dark with the system hours away from landfall.
Power companies expected to be impacted by the once Category 4 hurricane have help coming from partner utilities around the country to restore power as quickly as possible after the storm passes.
Many people will use generators to maintain a sense of normalcy in the event of an outage. Follow your owner’s manual to ensure the safe operation of your generator.
Water levels rising along Louisiana coastline due to Delta's storm surge
From CNN's Brandon Miller
Water levels along the Louisiana coastline are rising as the storm surge from the approaching Hurricane Delta increases.
Storm surge is already over six feet at a water level gauge at Freshwater Canal Locks, located in southern Vermilion Parish nearly 50 miles south of Abbeville, Louisiana. This is resulting in ocean water inundation of nearly five feet above ground level, according to NOAA data, which is considered “major flooding” for this location.
Water levels should continue to rise through the afternoon and evening, as landfall is still several hours away and high tide is not until almost midnight local time.
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Storm surge is beginning along the coast
The storm surge is beginning along the coast as Hurricane Delta makes its way closer to the shore.
The winds have weakened slightly. But this is still a dangerous storm with 105 mph sustained winds and higher gusts.
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Hurricane-force wind gust reported in Texas and Louisiana
An oil platform automatic wind gauge recorded hurricane-force wind gusts of 74 mph today.
Here are some other notable wind gusts:
64 mph — Texas Point, Texas
60 mph — Lake Charles, Louisiana
60 mph — Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana
55 mph — Freshwater Canal Locks, Louisiana
Winds will continue to increase in intensity as the storm moves closer.
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Nearly 10,000 people are in shelters ahead of Hurricane Delta
From CNN's Hollie Silverman
Nearly 10,000 people are in shelters ahead of Hurricane Delta Friday afternoon, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said at a news conference.
A total of 9,537 people are in Louisiana shelters as of Friday, Edwards said.
More than 800 of those evacuees have been evacuated due to concerns from Hurricane Delta, which is currently a Category 2 Hurricane expected to make landfall in the southwest part of Louisiana Friday evening, according to the governor.
Most of those evacuees are from Calcasieu Parish, Edwards said.
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Delta will become the first Greek alphabet named hurricane to make landfall in the US
From CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller
When Hurricane Delta makes landfall later today in southwestern Louisiana, it will become the first hurricane with a name from the Greek alphabet. Why is that important? It shows just how relentless the 2020 hurricane season has been.
Tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic basin are named using an alphabetical list of 21 names that rotates every year on a six-year rotation.
But what happens if there are more storms in a year than there are names? In that rare instance (this is only the second time it has happened, along with 2005), the storms are named using the Greek alphabet.
In 2005, there were six Greek alphabet named storms, making it all the way to Zeta. Of those, only Beta and Epsilon were hurricanes. Beta made landfall in Nicaragua as a Category 2 storm, while Epsilon was out in the middle of the open Atlantic.
This year Delta is the first of the four Greek letter storms to reach hurricane status and is poised to be the first one ever to hit the US. With more than seven weeks left in this year’s hurricane season, it may not be the last.
Hurricane Delta has weakened slightly and is now a 110 mph, strong Category 2 hurricane, according to the 2 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Further small fluctuations in intensity are possible until the storm reaches the coast, but Delta is just one mile per hour shy of being a major hurricane.
Landfall, when the center of the storm is more than half-way onshore, is expected this evening over southwest Louisiana as a strong Category 2 storm.
Tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain have already been battering parts of the Louisiana and Texas coasts.
Hurricane-force winds and the peak storm surge are expected late this afternoon through the evening.
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Curfew issued for Lafayette ahead of the storm
From CNN’s Tina Burnside
A curfew will go into effect Friday afternoon for all residents in Lafayette Parish as Hurricane Delta approaches the coastal areas of Louisiana.
Lafayette Mayor Josh Guillory said the curfew will start at 5 p.m. ET Friday and end 9 a.m. ET Saturday.
Guillory went on to say Lafayette Parish is not expected to take a direct hit from the storm surge, but could see some impacts. He urged residents to make their final preparations in the next few hours.
The hurricane is expected to make landfall along coastal Louisiana Friday evening. Delta will be the fourth named storm to hit Louisiana this year, a record for the state.
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As Delta barrels toward the coast, Southwest Louisiana is still without a working radar
From CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar
Hurricane Laura demolished the National Weather Service radar in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Now, as Delta barrels toward the coast, the office was left blind.
The radar dome sits on top of an over 60-foot tower, and since wind speeds are often stronger, the higher you go up, this likely led to its demise.
Normally when one radar site goes out, other nearby NWS offices can step in since many radar sites overlap a little.
“We have multiple radars to use, including one in Houston, Fort Polk, and Slidell,” said Roger Erickson, warning coordination meteorologist for the Lake Charles NWS Office.
But those neighboring radars don’t cover the entire area, so what do you do about the gaps left behind?
It’s mobile radar to the rescue, and not a moment too soon.
That is when a mobile radar from Oklahoma University came to the rescue. The team drove down to Louisiana to help fill the radar void.
New Orleans city employees to be dismissed early ahead of anticipated impacts from Hurricane Delta
From CNN's Hollie Silverman
New Orleans City employees will be dismissed early, at 3 p.m. local time, ahead of anticipated impacts from Hurricane Delta, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said during a news conference Friday.
Hurricane Delta is currently a Category 3 and is expected to make landfall Friday night.
The effects of the storm are expected to be felt in New Orleans from 4 p.m. to midnight, the mayor said.
Cantrell said the city has received “increasingly encouraging news” about Delta but remains prepared for any adverse weather or worst-case scenarios.
“We remain very much concerned and on guard should we need to help our neighbors along southwest Louisiana,” Cantrell said.
There are still concerns for flash flooding, river flooding and potential tornadoes as the storm makes landfall, Cantrell said.
Cantrell said the city has more than 6,100 evacuees in the city from previous storms.
RTA buses and ferries are still operating at this time but suspension is possible if winds get higher than 35 mph, the mayor explained.
Gusty winds are already being reported in New Orleans, according to Collin Arnold, director of New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
“We ask our residents to be vigilant, stay weather aware throughout today,” Arnold said. “We’re not out of the woods, the woods might just not be as thick as we think right now.”
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A buoy recorded 35-foot waves as Delta passed
Earlier this morning, the core of Hurricane Delta passed very close to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s buoy.
When it passed by the buoy, the pressure rapidly dropped.
The waves reached 35 feet.
And the winds reached hurricane strength, dropped down to near zero as the center went passed and strengthened once again as it moved away from the buoy.
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Here's a city-by-city look at when the Gulf Coast will feel Delta's effects
From CNN Weather’s Brandon Miller and Taylor Ward
Hurricane Delta continues on its path northward toward the US Gulf Coast, and parts of Louisiana and Texas will soon begin to feel the storm’s effects.
Here’s a look at what different cities can expect from the storm (all times are local):
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Tropical storm-force winds (39 mph+) = Now to shortly after midnight
Hurricane-force winds (75 mph+) = 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Peak winds gusts: 90 to 100 mph
Total rainfall expected: 6 to 10 inches
Peak storm surge: 2 to 4 feet on Calcasieu Lake
Lake Arthur, Louisiana
Tropical storm-force winds (39 mph+) = Now to 2 a.m. Saturday
Hurricane-force winds (75 mph+) = 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., peaking between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Peak Winds Gusts: 90 to 100 mph
Total rainfall expected: 6 to 10 inches
Peak storm surge: 7 to 11 feet
Abbeville, Louisiana
Tropical storm-force winds (39 mph+): Shortly after noon to 2 a.m. on Saturday
An observation station at Galveston Bay recently reported a tropical storm-force sustained wind of 42 mph and a gust of 49 mph.
The center of Hurricane Delta is about 110 miles south-southwest of Cameron, Louisiana.
Hurricane-force winds extend up to 40 miles from the center, which should begin to reach land later this afternoon.
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Tropical storm-force winds spread into Louisiana and Texas
Tropical storm-force winds from Hurricane Delta are spreading into southwestern Louisiana and Texas this morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Conditions will be deteriorating in these locations for the next 8 to 12 hours as the storm makes landfall.
The maximum sustained winds from Hurricane Delta have decreased slightly this morning, but at 115 mph, it is still a Category 3 major hurricane. Delta may continue to weaken slightly as it nears land, but it is expected to remain at or near Category 3 intensity.
The tropical storm-force winds (which are 39 mph+) extend up to 160 miles from the center, which is located 130 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 40 miles from the center, and should begin to reach land later this afternoon.
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Hurricane Delta is set to make landfall in the same parish that Hurricane Laura hit 6 weeks ago
From CNN's Brandon Miller
Cameron Parish, the most southwestern parish in Louisiana, is less than 75 miles wide, but residents are getting ready to have a second powerful hurricane make landfall in a matter of weeks.
While Hurricane Delta will not have winds as strong, it is currently a Category 3 with 120 mph winds. It is forecast to weaken slightly in the next few hours before it moves over land.
But that will not matter with the region still in the very early stages of recovery from the previous storm.
Aerial images of Lake Charles show hundreds of blue tarps covering damaged roofs while piles of debris line many streets.
Loose debris could become dangerous projectiles as winds reach 100 mph in southwestern Louisiana tonight, which could make the impacts from this hurricane even worse.
Having repeat storms hit so close together is rare, but not unheard of – in 2004, multiple storms crossed the same point in Florida just weeks apart. Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne hit the “southern end of Hutchinson Island” in Florida about three weeks apart in September of 2004.
The same regions of Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas being affected now were also hit by Tropical Storm Cindy and Hurricane Harvey in 2017– with landfalls separated by only 15 miles and two months.
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Delta is expected to bring "life-threatening storm surge" to parts of the Gulf Coast
Hurricane Delta remains a Category 3 storm as it continues on its path northward toward the Southwest Louisiana coast line, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest update.
The storm is “expected to bring hurricane conditions and a life-threatening storm surge to portions of the northern Gulf Coast later today,” the center said.
Here’s the latest forecast path:
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Five million people are at risk of flash flooding from Delta
Sara Tonks, CNN Meteorologist
As Hurricane Delta nears landfall in Louisiana, it brings tons of tropical moisture that’s ready to be dropped onto land as rain.
Rainfall across Louisiana in the direct path of Hurricane Delta will reach totals of 6 to 10 inches, with locally higher amounts likely.
Five million people are under flash flood watches from Louisiana through southwest Tennessee.
There is a moderate chance of rainfall exceeding flash flood levels across the majority of Louisiana, says the Weather Prediction Center.
The storm has a lower chance of causing widespread flash flooding than Hurricane Laura, which passed through the area in August, due to its relatively fast speed.
As opposed to remaining stationary and dumping all of its moisture in one spot, the rainfall will be more spread out and less likely to cause flash flooding.
However, widespread flooding is still possible from the storm due to the high rainfall amounts and rates.
After passing northward through Louisiana, Hurricane Delta will move northeast up the eastern coast, bringing up to 6 inches of rain as far north as New Jersey.
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Damage from Hurricane Laura is still an issue as Delta approaches, Louisiana official says
From CNN’s Tina Burnside
As Hurricane Delta approaches coastal Louisiana, Cameron Parish Sheriff Ron Johnson said they are still dealing with challenges in the wake of Hurricane Laura.
During a phone interview with CNN affiliate KPLC, Johnson said debris in the roadway and power outages from Laura several weeks ago are their biggest concern as they prepare for Hurricane Delta.
Johnson also said although there are still some residents who are choosing to stick around for the upcoming storm, the parish has a “pretty good evacuation rate” and are geared up to assist those who are sheltering in place when conditions are safe.
Johnson says Cameron Parish sheriff deputies are still patrolling the roads, however they will be pulled once winds reach 50 to 60 mph.
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Delta pummeled Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula earlier this week. Here's a look at the damage.
Workers repair the pier destroyed by Hurricane Delta in Playa Tortuga on Thursday in Cancun, Mexico.
Harold Alcocer/MediosyMedia/Getty Images
Hurricane Delta made landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula as a a Category 2 storm Wednesday morning, roughly halfway between the resort towns of Cancun and Playa del Carmen in Puerto Morelos, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The hurricane quickly made its way over the peninsula and reemerged in the Gulf of Mexico.
Here’s a look at some of the damage Delta left across the peninsula:
An information kiosk remains on the ground after been knocked down by the winds caused by Hurricane Delta in Cancun, Mexico.
Erick Marfil/Getty Images
A light post remains crooked after the winds caused by Hurricane Delta damaged it on Wednesday in Cozumel, Mexico.
Natalia Pescador/Getty Images
A fallen traffic sign is seen after the passage of Hurricane Delta in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo state, Mexico, on Wednesday.
Elizabeth Ruiz/AFP via Getty Images
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Trump is "actively engaged" ahead of Hurricane Delta, White House says
From CNN's Betsy Klein
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said President Trump is “actively engaged” as Hurricane Delta barrels toward the US Gulf Coast.
She urged those in the path Delta’s path to “stay calm” and listen to local officials.
Earlier this week, Trump tweeted that he had been briefed on the storm and was in contact with the governors of Texas and Louisiana.
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National Hurricane Center director: Delta will create "dangerous" conditions
From CNN's Adrienne Vogt
Some areas will see “life-threatening storm surge” due to Hurricane Delta, according to National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham.
The Category 3 hurricane is set to target the same area of Louisiana as deadly Hurricane Laura hit weeks ago.
“Now we’re talking 7 to 11 foot of storm surge and hurricane-force winds over the same area. So it’s been a record breaking, very busy season in 2020,” Graham said on CNN’s “New Day.”
Watch:
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Tropical storm-force winds will soon reach the Gulf Coast as Delta approaches
From CNN's Brandon Miller
While the center of Hurricane Delta is still more than 150 miles south of the Louisiana coastline, some of the outer rain bands from the storm are beginning to push onshore in southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas.
Hurricane Delta remains a Category 3 major hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 120 mph.
The tropical storm-force winds (39 mph+) extend outward up to 160 miles from the center of the hurricane, and these winds will begin to be felt on shore in the next hour or two.
Conditions will deteriorate through the day in these regions ahead of landfall, which is expected this evening along the southwestern Louisiana coast.
Dozens of Louisiana post offices suspend operations ahead of Hurricane Delta
From CNN's Hira Humayun
The USPS put out a list of dozens of post offices in Louisiana that have “temporarily suspended all operations until further notice” due to mandatory evacuations because of Hurricane Delta.
Multiple Louisiana parishes have issued mandatory evacuation orders and imposed curfews.
Meanwhile, a curfew is in effect for the city of Leesville and Vernon Parish according to a Facebook post from the Leesville Police Department. The curfew begin at 10 p.m. local time tonight and will be in place until 6 a.m. local time tomorrow. It may be extended if needed.
Beauregard Parish also issued a parish-wide dusk-to-dawn curfew starting at dusk on Friday and will be in place until further notice, according to a press release Thursday from the Beauregard Parish Unified Command..
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Delta's rain bands are already hitting Texas and Louisiana
Hurricane Delta isn’t expected to make landfall until later this evening, but parts of the US Gulf Coast is already feeling its effects.
“Rainbands of Delta spreading into Southwestern Louisiana and Southeastern Texas,” the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 a.m. ET advisory.
Delta, which is still a Category 3 storm, is expected to bring “hurricane conditions and a life-threatening storm surge to portions of the northern gulf coast later today.”
Here’s a look at the latest forecast past from the National Hurricane Center:
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Hurricane Delta is barreling toward the US
From CNN's Scottie Andrew, Christina Maxouris and Theresa Waldrop
Hurricane Delta intensified into a Category 3 storm yesterday afternoon and it may strike southwestern Louisiana with similar strength today, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is expected to make US landfall along the same portion of southwest Louisiana where Hurricane Laura hit just six weeks ago.
Conditions “appear favorable for strengthening” over the next 12 hours, “and based on this additional intensification is expected tonight,” the center said in its latest forecast discussion.
The mayor of Lake Charles, Louisiana, which was hit hard by Laura, made a last-ditch plea asking people to evacuate the area.
“With what we have been through with Laura, looking at hurricane Delta really is a scary proposition for Lake Charles,” Mayor Nic Hunter said in a video message posted to his Facebook page on Thursday.
