Tropical Storm Gordon is gaining strength as it moves into the gulf. It is expected to become a hurricane by the time the storm hits the central U.S. Gulf Coast.

Voluntary evacuation orders were issued on Monday for parts of Louisiana for residents in areas outside the levee protection system. Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency and says 200 National Guard troops will be deployed to southeastern Louisiana.

Here's the Governor's latest update.

The National Hurricane Center says the storm is centered 190 miles east-southeast of the Mississippi River. Maximum sustained winds were clocked at 65 mph. Once the storm moves ashore, it is expected roll over the lower Mississippi Valley on Wednesday.

The latest projections do put the North Shore of Lake Ponchartrain in South Louisiana  in the cone of uncertainty. Forecasters are also giving the system a stronger chance to develop into a Category One hurricane before landfall.

Gordon is expected to track across North Louisiana as a tropical low by Wednesday.

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