Weather

According to KFDM Meteorologist Greg Bostwick, Zeta is nearing hurricane intensity and will move across the northeastern sections of the Yucatan Peninsula tonight. By tomorrow morning, Zeta should be in the southern Gulf with a gradual turn to the north Tuesday afternoon. Conditions in the southern Gulf are favorable enough for Zeta to be a hurricane but weakening will be likely as it nears the northern Gulf coast and encounters wind shear along with cooler water temperatures.

Landfall is expected Wednesday afternoon near the mouth of the Mississippi as Zeta turns sharply to the northeast ahead of a front moving into the northwestern Gulf.

Locally, scattered showers can be expected Tuesday and Wednesday as some of the moisture of Zeta interacts with the front moving in from the northwest. Otherwise, any significant weather should stay well to our east.

The following Orange County schools have announced closures for Friday, October 9, due to impending Hurricane Delta:

• West Orange Cove ISD ( All after school events and extracurricular activities for Thursday and Friday have been canceled. The varsity football game against Silsbee has been rescheduled for Saturday, 10/10, at 7:30 pm.)
• Orangefield ISD
• Bridge City ISD
• LCM ISD
• Vidor ISD (also closed Monday)
• Community Christian School
• Lamar State College Orange

Orange County Judge John Gothia has issued a disaster declaration for Orange County in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Delta. In an abundance of caution, if you live in coastal low areas of Orange County you need to take the necessary precautions for a potential 2 to 4-foot storm surge.

Orange County non-emergency offices will be closed Friday, October 9th.

Due to the debris that is already in our area, please be aware that tropical-storm-force winds are forecasted to hit our area beginning Friday. Citizens are urged to maintain situational awareness due to the potential of flying debris. Residents are urged to monitor the local weather stations due to the fast-changing forecast of Hurricane Delta

According to KFDM Meteorologist Greg Bostwick, Delta has gotten a little stronger this morning and should become a CAT3 hurricane later this afternoon and tonight. Gradual weakening is expected tomorrow with landfall as more than likely a CAT2 hurricane.

The forecast rationale has not changed with a gradual turn to the north tonight and a north-northeast turn at a faster forward speed tomorrow. Landfall is expected in eastern Cameron Parish around Grand Chenier/Pecan Island around sunset.

Local impacts remain the same with wind gusts of 30-40 mph with a few higher gusts near the Sabine River tomorrow evening. 2-4 inches of rain will be possible

Life-threatening storm surge, dangerous hurricane-force winds, and heavy rain are expected along and east of the track of Delta as it moves inland across Louisiana.

Hurricane Warning:
Southeast Texas: Jefferson County
Southwest Louisiana: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis Parish
South Central Louisiana: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion Parish
Central Louisiana: Avoyelles and Rapides Parish

Tropical Storm Warning:
Southeast Texas: Hardin, Jasper, Newton, and Orange County
Central Louisiana: Vernon Parish

Storm Surge Warning:
Southeast Texas: Jefferson County
Southwest Louisiana: Cameron and Jeff Davis Parish
South Central Louisiana: Acadia, Iberia, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion Parish

Flash Flood Watch:
Southwest Louisiana: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron Parish
South Central Louisiana: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion Parish
Central Louisiana: Avoyelles, Rapides, Vernon Parish

According to KFDM Meteorologist Greg Bostwick, Delta is along the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and will be moving offshore into the Gulf shortly. The highest winds are 90-100 mph as it has weakened further as it moved across land overnight.

Some strengthening will be possible later today and Thursday as it moves across the warm waters of the southern Gulf. Beginning Thursday night, Delta will be moving into an area of increasing wind shear and cooler water temperatures which should induce weakening. It remains likely that Delta will make landfall as a CAT2 or CAT1 hurricane.

The timing of the turn to the north remains critical Thursday on how close it comes to Southeast Texas Friday evening. A good point to watch is if Delta moves as far as 95 West longitude before it makes the turn. If Delta stays east of 95 West that will greatly reduce a direct hit. Based on current and projected conditions, landfall east of Cameron around the Grand Chenier/Pecan Island area late Friday afternoon is the most likely outcome.