The system currently has with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. NHC forecasters expect this motion to continue for the next 12 to 24 hours, followed by a more persistent northward motion. La. TD-8 is projected to become a tropical storm sometime early this afternoon. NHC's extended forecast has this system making landfall as a tropical storm sometime in the next 48 to 72 hours somewhere along the western Louisiana coast. This system is expected to bring heavy amounts of rain to an already saturated Gulf Coast.
Flood warnings are in effect for all coastal counties in Louisiana.
An Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft is en route to the system in the Gulf. Additional flights have been scheduled for tomorrow. FEMA Headquarters is monitoring the situation closely and is in contact regional offices in Denton, Texas and Atlanta, Ga. and the Gulf Coast state officials. A videoconference with the NHC and other concerned interests will be held this afternoon to receive the latest information on both Tropical Depression 8 and Hurricane Georges.