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Current wind speeds of 65mph are battering the Gulf Coast just off the southwestern states after lashing the southern tip of Florida yesterday. Gordon was centered 145 miles (235km) east-south-east of the mouth of the Mississippi River as of 4pm BST this afternoon (10am CDT), according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA’s latest warning reads: “Outer trainbands producing squally weather along the coast of the Western Florida Panhandle. “Gordon expected to make landfall tonight as a hurricane.”

The storm is moving at a rate of 15mph. Where will Gordon make landfall in Mississippi tonight? Gordon is expected to hit the border between Louisiana and Mississippi when it first hits land tonight. A hurricane warning has been issued for Mississipi, Louisiana and Alabama with a state of emergency declared in all three states.

Hurricane Gordon spaghetti models: The projected path of Gordon as it hits the United States

As Gordon makes landfall, it is expected to continue along a north-west trajectory, according to the latest spaghetti models from Cycloncane.com. The storm’s path is likely to head north over Jackson and Vicksburg in Mississippi, before crossing over into parts of Louisiana and then onto Arkansas. Hurricane level winds are expected to bring eight inches of rain for Louisiana and Mississippi, government officials have said. A storm surge warning, meaning there is also a threat posed to life, is in effect for Shell Beach, located near to New Orleans, up to Dauphin Island

Hurricane Gordon spaghetti models: Gordon is expected to hit the border of Louisiana and Mississippi

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is preparing to open an emergency shelter at 7pm BST (1pm local time). The authority tweeted: “State Medical Needs Shelter, at 1640 Coy Ave in Wiggins, will open at 1pm today in response to #TropicalStormGordon. “This facility is a shelter of last resort for those people whose medical needs cannot be accommodated in a general population shelter.” People have been warned to evacuate if necessary and to stockpile water food and supplies for three days, as well as communication tools such as phones.

Hurricane Gordon spaghetti models: NOAA's storm update at 4pm BST on Tuesday