Extremely dangerous Hurricane Delta approaching the Yucatan

As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Delta has weakened some but remains to be an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane with 130 MPH wind. The potentially catastrophic hurricane will directly strike the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancun, tonight into tomorrow morning.

Right now, the storm is racing toward the west-northwest at 16 mph a few hundred miles east-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.

The center of Delta is expected to pass southwest of the Cayman Islands through this evening, and move over the northeastern portion of the Yucatan Peninsula late tonight or early Wednesday. Delta is forecast to move over the southern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday afternoon, and be over the southern or central Gulf of Mexico through Thursday.

An extremely dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by 6 to 9 feet (isolated higher) along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula within the hurricane warning area. This surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Delta is expected to bring rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches (isolated higher) across portions of the northern Yucatan Peninsula, 2 to 4 inches (isolated higher) across portions of the Cayman Islands and western Cuba.

Later this week, Delta is expected to bring heavy rainfall and flash and urban flooding to portions of the central Gulf Coast, Tennessee Valley, and southeastern United States.

This rainfall may result in areas of significant flash flooding and mudslides.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Tulum to Dzilam, Mexico, and Cozumel.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Cuba province of Pinar del Rio, Isle of Youth, Punta Herrero to Tulum, Dzilam to Progresso.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.