Tropical Storm Gordon closed in along the northern Gulf Coast on September 4, threatening to make landfall as authorities issued mass evacuations.

Residents in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama were asked to take shelter, and thousands have been left without electricity as the storm downed power lines.

This video, filmed in Gulf Shores, Alabama, shows the churning waves on the beach.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning from the mouth of the Pearl River, Mississippi, to the border between Alabama and Florida. Storm surge warnings are also in effect and tornados are not unlikely, forecasts say.

Across the states, residents have begun making preparations, boarding up windows and filling bags sandbags to avert flooding. It is predicted that Gordon could make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane.

TS Gordon. Double red flags. Gulf Shores, AL. Strong surf and white caps.