text:  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is warning that a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico could be larger than usual this year. The area of low oxygen off the coast of Louisiana can kill fish and other marine life. Empire's Debbie Elliott has more. NOAA forecasts this summer's dead zone in the Gulf will cover nearly 6,000 square miles, an area roughly the size of Connecticut. It typically averages a little over 5,000 square miles.