Hurricane in Gulf: Tropical Depression 9 to become first Atlantic hurricane storm of 2026, predicted to hit Louisiana, Mississippi, forecast landfall could affect Shell, Chevron, other refineries

US forecasters said on Tuesday a storm forming in the Gulf of Mexico and speeding towards Louisiana and Mississippi would become the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 within two days. Currently named Tropical Depression Nine, the cyclone would be at tropical storm strength by early Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said.

"The depression is expected to pass to the north of the Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday, and approach the US northern Gulf Coast on Friday," the Hurricane Center said in a statement.

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The storm is forecast to pass through offshore areas with oil and gas production facilities and onshore areas with major refineries. Any impact could further tighten energy markets and drive up gasoline and diesel prices already soaring due to the US-Israeli war with Iran.

The offshore areas in the Gulf in the storm's path produce 15 per cent of US crude oil and 5 per cent of the country's natural gas. In the forecast landfall area the storm could affect six refineries operated by Shell, Valero Energy, Marathon, PBF Energy, and Chevron.

Refineries in US Gulf states account for about 50 per cent of the national capacity of 18.2 million barrels per day (bpd).

Shell Begins Evacuation

Shell Plc began evacuating non-essential workers from its Stones, Mars, Olympus, Ursa, Vito and Appomattox offshore production assets in the US-regulated northern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, the company said in a statement posted online.

The US National Hurricane Center forecast a developing storm off the coast of Mexico to become a hurricane by Thursday that will cross offshore production areas before making landfall in either Louisiana or Mississippi.

Heavy Rains, Flooding in Caribbean Island

The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines shuttered all schools on Tuesday after heavy rains unleashed flooding and landslides across the eastern Caribbean island.

The local meteorological office said that more than 5 inches (13 centimeters) of rain have fallen in 24 hours as a tropical wave moves through the region.

Authorities said fallen trees and landslides blocked main roads, while severe flooding damaged homes and affected infrastructure, including healthcare facilities.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the tropical wave was moving westward across the eastern Caribbean as it reported strong thunderstorms in the vicinity. It noted that another tropical wave was forming off Africa's west coast.

The storm comes as the Atlantic hurricane season has been unusually quiet this year due to a strong El Niño, which disrupts storm formation over that ocean.

No hurricanes have been reported during this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. The last time the first Atlantic hurricane formed this late in the season was October 8, 1905.