The center of Hurricane Delta was located near latitude 24.8 North, longitude 93.4 West.
Delta is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Some weakening is possible as Delta approaches the northern Gulf coast on Friday, with rapid weakening expected after the center moves inland.
Within minutes of the National Hurricane Center upgrading Delta to a Category 3 hurricane Tuesday morning, data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that sustained winds had increased to 130 mph.
Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place and monitor updates to the forecast of Delta,” the Hurricane Center said.