A hurricane watch is in effect for the gulf coast after the storm system approaching the gulf was upgraded to Tropical Storm Karen.

According to the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Center, the storm’s winds were at 60 mph when hurricane hunters flew into the storm. The hurricane watch is in effect from Grand Isle, La., to Indian Pass, Fla., but most models currently show the storm headed toward Mobile and the Florida panhandle.

The storm is not expected to reach hurricane strength by the time it reaches land.

Despite the federal government shutdown, the hurricane center and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will continue to work, because they are considered essential services, said Escambia County Emergency Management Director David Adams.