New Orleans, LA – The U.S. Gulf Coast is expected to be battered by another major storm this week less than a month after taking a direct hit from Category 4 Hurricane Laura.

Late last month, Hurricane Laura left a wake of destruction through a large swath of the Gulf Coast, and now another hurricane is bearing down.

On Monday afternoon, Tropical Storm Sally strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as it continues to move slowly in the Gulf.

#Sally has rapidly strengthened into a hurricane, and some additional strengthening is forecast during the next day or so. #Hurricane Warning is in effect from Morgan City, Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida border. https://t.co/6RohXt3GhI pic.twitter.com/OFRPUmAngF

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 14, 2020

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Sally is expected to continue strengthening and could make landfall late Tuesday as a Category 2.

Hurricane Sally is also expected to bring torrential rainfall of up to 2 feet in some areas and a storm surge as high as 11 feet.

Here are the Key Messages for #Sally on Tuesday morning. The hurricane is expected to cause many life-threatening hazards, as detailed below. The latest NHC advisory is at https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB and your local weather forecast is https://t.co/SiZo8ohZMN pic.twitter.com/Fi558tk15O

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 15, 2020

Historic flooding is possible with extreme life-threatening flash flooding likely through Wednesday along and just inland of the central Gulf Coast from the western Florida panhandle to far southeastern Mississippi.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards have already declared a state of emergency for their respective states in preparation for the storm.

In an appearance on Fox News on Monday, Governor Reeves said state officials are preparing for a direct hit.

“It looks like right now we are going to get a direct hit,” he said. “We are expecting it to take a sharp right turn and hit Biloxi. It’s going to be a major water event no matter where it hits along the Gulf.”

The NHC has issued a Hurricane Warning to areas from Morgan City, LA to the Alabama/Florida border, including New Orleans.

A Hurricane Warning for #Sally is in effect from Morgan City, Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida border, including New Orleans. Tropical-storm-force winds will likely begin later today and this evening. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. pic.twitter.com/mgwJ4ZId02

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 14, 2020

Tropical-storm-force winds have already begun in some areas, the NHC reports.

Truckers operating in and through these areas should be advised and take proper precautions.

Transportation Nation Network will continue to track the storm.

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