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 is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.