Tropical storm Gordon slammed the Gulf Coast late Tuesday night around 10:15 p.m.. The Mississippi-Alabama border was the first to take the hit. On Wednesday, Gordon had already claimed its first victim in Florida, a young child, who was killed when a tree fell on her family’s trailer. The storm also caused several more fatalities.

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Gordon produced winds at 70 miles per hour, which is just shy of hurricane strength. Accuweather reported that 50,000 homes were without power in Alabama on Wednesday alone. Gordon also produced several tornadoes including a radar confirmed twister near West Point in Mississippi.This is the most destructive hurricane to strike Florida since Hurricane Irma in 2017.  

As many of the southeastern states prepared for this disaster to strike, Governor Rick Scott of Florida urged Floridians to “remain vigilant”. Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for Louisiana and deployed 200 Louisiana National Guardsmen, 39 boats, 63 high-water trucks, and four helicopters. Governor of Mississippi, Phil Bryant, and Governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey, also declared a state of emergency. When the storm moved north, to the Midwest, it caused severe flooding and damage to many homes and properties. Most people will not forget this tropical storm.