Hurricane Delta weakens to category 1 as it moves inland

11 p.m. update

ORLANDO, Fla. — Hurricane Delta is now a category 1 storm with 75 mph winds. It’ll continue to weaken further overnight as it moves inland.

The National Hurricane Center says the storm still carries hurricane conditions with it and a life-threatening storm surge.

Hurricane Delta continues to move north-northeast at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds measured at 75 mph.

7:00 p.m. update

Hurricane Delta made landfall near Creole, Louisiana at 7 p.m. Central Time Friday as a category 2 hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center says damaging winds and a life-threatening storm surge continue over portions of southern Louisiana.

Hurricane Delta had maximum sustained winds measured at 100 mph hour at landfall.

A coastal monitoring tower near Lake Arthur, Louisiana recently reported sustained winds of 77 mph with gusts up to 96 mph, according to the NHC.

The category 2 storm is currently moving north-northeast at 14 mph.

5:15 p.m. update

Hurricane Delta moved closer to the southwestern Louisiana coast on Friday afternoon, bringing with it maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.

READ: 2020 Hurricane season: 10 storms have struck the U.S., 6 of which have been hurricanes (including imminent Delta)

The Category 2 hurricane is located 35 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana, and is moving north-northeast at 14 mph.

The storm’s center is set to make landfall within the coming hours.

READ: Hurricane Delta bears down on Louisiana coast: Live updates

11:45 a.m. update

Despite weakening some, Hurricane Delta remains a Category 3 storm as of the 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to gradually weaken as it approaches the Louisiana coastline with landfall as a Category 2 storm expected later tonight.

Wet weather has already started in portions of Louisiana and Mississippi. Some locations have already seen 4 to 6 inches of rainfall. Conditions are forecasted to continue to deteriorate throughout the day.

Life threatening storm surge is likely along the coast, up to 7 to 11 feet in spots, and hurricane conditions are expected along a large portion of the Louisiana coastline.

8:30 a.m. update

Delta’s rain bands are spreading into southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas.

The storm is expected to make landfall near Cameron, Louisiana, Friday night as Category 2 hurricane.

Delta is a Category 3 storm, with 120 mph winds.

The storm is expected to weaken before it makes landfall.

4:30 a.m. update

Hurricane Delta is moving toward southwestern Louisiana Friday. It is a Category 3 storm, and is expected to bring hurricane conditions and life-threatening storm surge to portions of the northern Gulf Coast Friday.

Delta is forecast to move over the northwestern Gulf Mexico Friday and then move inland this evening.

Delta’s winds are 120 mph, and could get even stronger overnight.

Forecasters believe Delta will slowly weaken as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast.

Delta could make landfall in the same town Hurricane Laura did six weeks ago. The Lake Charles area is under a mandatory evacuation.

Cox Media Group