Gordon weakens to tropical depression; child killed as tree limb falls on mobile home

Gordon slammed ashore along the central Gulf Coast Tuesday night as a tropical storm, bringing high winds, heavy rain and strong storm surge before weakening to a tropical depression Wednesday morning.

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Update 8:09 a.m. EDT Sept. 5: Gordon has weakened to a tropical depression, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, the National Hurricane Center reported Wednesday morning. It is currently 25 miles south-southeast of Jackson, Mississippi, and is moving northwest at 14 mph, according to the center's 8 a.m. EDT advisory.

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Update 5:07 a.m. EDT Sept. 5: ActionNewsJax is reporting that Tropical Storm Gordon has killed one person, according to emergency managers in northwest Florida.

Escambia County Emergency Communications received a call reporting a tree falling on a mobile home, and arrived on scene at 8:48 p.m., according to the official website of Escambia County.

This happened on the 4000 block of Bobe Street, officials said.

Crews found a very large oak tree limb on the back of the home, the site reads. EMS crews confirmed one pediatric fatality.

The National Weather Service also reports the death was caused by a tree limb falling onto a trailer.

So far, this is the only fatality caused by Tropical Storm Gordon; it occurred in West Pensacola, Florida, the NWS said.

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Update 10:45 p.m. EDT Sept. 4: The storm is packing 70 mph winds and is moving at 14 mph as it drenches parts of the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The NHC is warning that Gordon could bring life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions when it makes landfall.

Schools have been canceled in communities along the Gulf and flood warnings are posted.

The National Hurricane Center is warning that rainfall could total 12 inches or more in some areas, including southwest Alabama, southern and central Mississippi, northeastern Louisiana and southern Arkansas as Gordon makes its way inland.

Original report: A hurricane warning is in effect for the area from the Pearl River in Mississippi to the Alabama/Florida border.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency as the storm moved into the Gulf of Mexico traveling at 17 mph. It is expected to make landfall Tuesday morning.

The storm, which at 5 a.m. Tuesday had sustained winds of 65 mph, is expected to bring “life-threatening” storm surges, which could raise waters up to 5 feet in some areas.

The Associate Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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