DHAKA: Hurricane Nate has made landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana of United States, reports BBC quoting US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 85mph (137km/h), is moving north, and a second landfall is expected on the Mississippi coast later.

Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and parts of Florida have issued hurricane warnings and evacuation orders.

Nate killed at least 25 people--13 in Nicaragua, eight in Costa Rica, three in Honduras and one in El Salvador.

The tropical storm has turned into a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

US President Donald Trump earlier issued an emergency declaration for Louisiana, allowing the state to seek federal help with preparation and possible relief efforts.

In Alabama, Republican Governor Kay Ivey has urged residents in areas facing heavy winds and storm surges to take precautions.

Five ports along the Gulf Coast have also been closed to shipping as a precaution.
Most oil and gas platforms in the US Gulf of Mexico have evacuated their staff and stopped production ahead of the storm.

The hurricane warning issued to parts of the Gulf Coast includes the threat of life-threatening storm surge flooding. Evacuation orders have been put in place for some low-lying areas.

Nate caused heavy rains, landslides and floods which blocked roads, destroyed bridges and damaged houses as it tore through central America.

The tail of the storm is still causing problems in the region, where thousands have been forced to sleep in shelters and some 400,000 people in Costa Rica were reported to be without running water.

BDST: 1040 HRS, OCT 8, 2017
SI