Gordon weakens to tropical depression in coastal states

Tropical Depression Gordon was expected to further weaken as it churns over land. Image courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

UPI

Gordon continued to weaken Wednesday after becoming a tropical depression as it made landfall near the Mississippi-Alabama border, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm was located about 80 miles northwest of Jackson, Miss., packed 25 mph winds and was moving north-northwest at 8 mph as of the NHC's 10 p.m. CDT update.

There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

The then-tropical storm made landfall around 10 p.m. and brought with it heavy rains and strong winds. States of emergency were issued for Mississippi, Louisiana and parts of Alabama.

At least one person has died so far as a result of the storm -- a child in Florida who was killed by a falling tree in Pensacola.

Later this week, the remnants of Gordon are forecast to merge with a cold front in the Midwest and bring more rain and flooding to Arkansas and Missouri.

Water levels from storm surge along the Gulf of Mexico will gradually subside Wednesday morning, the NHC said. Tornadoes are also possible through Wednesday night over Mississippi and western Alabama, it added.