Hurricane Nate: Trump Authorizes Louisiana Emergency Declaration

WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump has signed off on an emergency declaration for a large swath of Louisiana as Hurricane Nate takes aim at the state.

Nate was about 250 miles south of the Mississippi River on Saturday morning and the storm's core is forecasted to make landfall Saturday night, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said. The Category 1 storm recently had maximum sustained winds near 85 mph with higher gusts and forecasters said it could strengthen before making landfall.

Trump, a Republican, authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate all federal disaster relief efforts, a White House statement released early Saturday said. The move aims to expedite aid, save lives and protect property and public safety. It specifically identifies 17 parishes, many on the coastline. (For more information on Hurricane Nate and other White House stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Hurricane #Nate has been moving quickly across the Gulf overnight. Stay updated on latest info! #LAwx #MSwx #WxReady https://t.co/RHpWwT5JIX pic.twitter.com/wKyHidOC7N
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) October 7, 2017

Photo credit: Associated Press