Hurricane Nate threatening to slam into Louisiana and Mississippi

Hurricane Nate is threatening to slam into the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm today prompting Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida to declare states of emergency as they order evacuations and mobilize resources in preparation.

Nate was racing toward the U.S. coastline at 25 mph as of last night with maximum sustained 90 mph winds as it churned about 195 miles south of Biloxi, Mississippi.

Its wind speed made it a Category 1 hurricane with the expectation that it would strengthen into a Category 2 by the afternoon prior to making landfall along the central U.S. Gulf Coast later today, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm's strongest winds are expected to be directly north and east from the eye of the storm. Tornadoes and flash floods are a "real concern" as the storm roars ashore and moves inland.

Tropical Storm Nate formed off the coast of Nicaragua on Wednesday and 22 people were killed, including 15 in Nicaragua and seven in Costa Rica.

Costa Rican officials said 15 people were missing as well.

Source: ABC News