Hurricane Sally strengthens ahead of landfall in US

WASHINGTON: Tropical storm Sally has strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane as it is moving over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico ahead of making landfall on the US southeast coast on Tuesday.

According to forecast, Sally was slowly moving northwest through the Gulf towards the north-central Gulf coast, continuing to gain power, reports Xinhua news agency.

Forecasters warned that Sally could become a Category 3 major hurricane when making landfall along the coast of Mississipi and Alabama. Hurricane warnings have been issued for southeast Louisiana and all of the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf coast.

A tropical storm warning extends through much of the Florida Panhandle.

Once expected to be a direct hit on New Orleans, Louisiana, Sally moved east on Monday but could still cause wind damage and power outage in the city, experst said. On September 12, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency. (IANS)

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