Tropical Storm Sally expected to strengthen into hurricane as it moves toward New Orleans

Clouds over New Orleans.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tropical Storm Sally pounded south Florida with heavy rain on Saturday before moving into the Gulf of Mexico, and forecasters believe that by Tuesday morning, Sally could hit near New Orleans as a Category 2 hurricane.

The storm is strengthening as it crosses the Gulf of Mexico, and as of Sunday night has sustained winds of 60 mph, CNN reports. Hurricane warnings have been issued for parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, where storm surges of up to 11 feet are possible. Forecasters also say some areas between southeast Louisiana and the western Florida Panhandle could see extreme rainfall of more than 12 inches.

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.