BILOXI (AP) — Tropical Storm Nate continues to make its way across the Caribbean Sea toward the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico where it is predicted to become a Category 1 hurricane when it reaches the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The storm has killed 22 people as it made its way across Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

“The storm is not well organized — it’s not the typical circle-shaped storm that we’ve been seeing,” said National Weather Service New Orleans Meteorologist Alek Krautmann. “It’s moving quickly so it’s not going to be in the area too long once it reaches the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

Watches and warnings
The entire Mississippi Gulf Coast is under a hurricane watch for Saturday night and Sunday, including the counties of Pearl River, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson. The National Hurricane Center issued the watch at 10 p.m. Thursday.

The watch could be upgraded to a warning sometime Friday afternoon.

“Tropical Storm Nate could become a Category 1 hurricane when it makes landfall, so people need to start making preparations,” Krautmann said.

A state of emergency has been issued in Biloxi and in Jackson County ahead of the storm.

Forecast
The NWS in New Orleans predicts Tropical Storm Nate will make landfall along the Mississippi Gulf Coast sometime late Saturday night. Tropical storm-force winds may move into the area Saturday evening ahead of the storm.

Flooding
The New Orleans area and Hancock County continue to be under a coastal flood advisory thanks to strong easterly winds. “Already elevated tides will only increase this weekend and heavy rain is possible especially on the eastern half of the system,” the Weather Service warns.