Hurricane Delta Passes Over Cayman Islands With 110 MPH Winds

ACROSS FLORIDA — Overnight, the National Hurricane Center upgraded the tropical storm in the Caribbean Sea to Hurricane Delta as it rapidly strengthened with winds of 110 mph.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hurricane hunter aircraft reported Tuesday morning that the hurricane is rapidly strengthening and is expected to become a major hurricane with "extremely dangerous conditions" as it passes over the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico starting early Wednesday.

Over the weekend, the Yucatan Peninsula was pummeled by heavy rains from Tropical Storm Gamma.

Hurricane Delta is forecast to move over the southern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday afternoon, and head into the south-central Gulf of Mexico through Thursday.

At 8 a.m. Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said the center of Hurricane Delta continued to pass over the Cayman Islands, moving at about 15 mph west-northwest.

Models showing it tracking west then turning northwest toward Louisiana and the western Florida Panhandle Thursday night to Friday morning.

There is a risk of dangerous storm surge, wind and rainfall hazards. Residents in these areas should monitor the progress of the system and check for updates to the forecast during the week.

Check back with Patch for updates on Hurricane Delta.