Tropical Storm Karen forms in Caribbean, aims for U.S.A

Hurricane Karen has shaped in the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center reported Thursday morning, turning into the eleventh named storm of the Atlantic tropical storm season.

Starting 11 a.m. ET, the storm had winds of 65 mph. It was found in the ballpark of 485 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River and was moving north-northwest at 12 mph.

Karen could turn into a storm before making landfall, reports Accuweather. A hurricane turns into a tropical storm when its winds achieve 74 mph.

The storm may as well make landfall some place along the Gulf Coast by Saturday night.
Sea tempest and hurricane watches have been posted for the U.s. Inlet Coast from Florida to Louisiana.

A sea tempest watch is essentially from Grand Isle, La., to Indian Pass, Fla., while a hurricane watch is in actuality for metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Ponchartrain and Lake Maurepas, and in addition the Gulf Coast from west of Grand Isle to Morgan City, La.

A sea tempest watch implies that storm conditions are conceivable inside the watch zone, while a typhoon watch implies hurricane conditions could happen.

Precipitation sums of from 4 to 8 inches might be relied upon to the east of where the storm makes landfall, reports meteorologist Jeff Masters of the Weather Underground. Some minor seaside flooding is additionally conceivable.

Neighborhood COVERAGE: Pensacola News-Journal

The most noteworthy chances of hurricane energy winds are along the coast from Buras, La., to Pensacola, Fla.

"Wind blasts in the neighborhood of 60 mph can cause minor property harm, downed trees and force blackouts," reports Accuweather meteorologist Michael Doll.

Arrangements are now underway in Florida: Pensacola Beach Public Safety Director Bob West said lifeguard towers and refuse jars will be uprooted from the vacation spot and secured today or Friday.