Tropical Storm Nate Could Strike The US Gulf Coast As A Hurricane

Another potentially deadly storm is moving toward the U.S.

Tropical Storm Nate slammed parts of Central America on Thursday with heavy rain, causing major flooding and mudslides. Officials told several media outlets at least 22 people were killed.

Nate is expected to gain strength as it churns through the Gulf of Mexico. And forecasters predict it will become a Category 1 hurricane when it reaches the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend.

Parts of the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coastlines are already under tropical storm and hurricane watches.

This Hurricane Season Is As Unusual As The Huge Storms Themselves

This Hurricane Season Is As Unusual As The Huge Storms Themselves

Hurricanes Irma and Harvey are tumultuous, but projections for the rest of this hurricane season suggest it could get worse.

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Nate isn't currently projected to directly hit Texas or Florida, where residents are still recovering from hurricanes Harvey and Irma. But officials aren't taking any chances.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 29 counties Thursday and urged residents to be prepared in case the storm's projected track shifts.

Experts thought this year's hurricane season would be especially dangerous. And so far, some of the strongest storms ever recorded have hit the Caribbean and the U.S. in just a few weeks.

But according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a spike in hurricane activity in August, September and October isn't unsual.