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Tropical Storm Barry was heading to the Louisiana coast on Friday and nearly 10,000 people have already been ordered to evacuate. President Trump declared a federal emergency for the state as crews prepared for a storm surge that could cause severe flooding in and around New Orleans.
The National Hurricane Center said the slow storm is expected to turn into a hurricane as the coast approaches Saturday. Barry's biggest threat will be rain with 10 to 20 inches expected to fall in parts of Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi, the hurricane center said.
Some areas could see up to 25 inches of rain, the center said. New Orleans officials said the storm would be a test for the dikes protecting the city.
The Mississippi River was to reach a 19-foot crest, one foot below the top of the dikes. National Guard troops have been deployed around the state to help people stranded by the floods.
Friday night, Barry was about 75 miles south-southeast of Morgan City, Louisiana, and his maximum sustained winds were 65 mph. The forecast was for Chicago to continue, swelling the Mississippi basin with water flowing south again.
FAA says she "closely monitors" the storm
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement Friday that it was watching Tropical Storm Barry. "We are preparing facilities and equipment to deal with the damage caused by the storm along the planned path so we can quickly resume relief operations after the passage," said the agency.
The statement included tips for travelers who might be affected by the storm. The FAA advises to check with the airlines the state of the flights and take into account all aspects of the journey, from parking to registration through security and boarding.
A notice has been issued to urge drone users to avoid flying in the area and to ban those who are not remotely certified or exempt from theft.
Hurricane Warning in effect for parts of Louisiana
NOAA / Document via Reuters
The hurricane center issued a hurricane warning from Intracoastal City in Grand Isle, Louisiana, indicating that hurricane conditions were expected somewhere in the region by 36 hours. Hurricane conditions were possible from the mouth of the Mississippi to Grand Isle and Intracoastal City to Cameron, Louisiana.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for:
- From the mouth of the Pearl River to Grand Isle
- Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas, including the metropolis of New Orleans
- From Intracoastal City to Cameron
A hurricane warning has been issued for:
- City Intracoastal to Grand Isle
Tropical storms were possible from the east to the mouth of the Pearl River up to the border between Mississippi and Alabama.
A dangerous storm surge could also occur. A life-threatening flood warning due to rising inland waters has been launched from Intracoastal City in Biloxi, Mississippi, as well as for the Pontchartrain Lake.
A dangerous storm surge was possible from Biloxi to the border between Mississippi and Alabama.
"Your window of preparation is reduced"
Although no evacuation was ordered in New Orleans, many owners put sandbags on their property or, in the case of exposed and low areas located along the coast, have packed and left. Tourists invaded the city's airport hoping to catch an early morning flight and get out of the city before the storm.
"It happens … Your window of preparation narrows," said Ken Graham, director of the hurricane center. He added, "It's powerful, it strengthens, and the water is going to be a big problem."
The storms of the storm blew the country with bands of rain for most of the day. Some low – lying roads near the coast were already covered with water on Friday morning as the tide rose and Barry pushed water into the Gulf of Mexico. While Barry was to arrive as a low-intensity hurricane, barely exceeding the wind speed threshold of 74 mph, the authorities warned people not to be fooled by this.
"No one should take this storm lightly just because it's supposed to be Category 1 when it hits the land," said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. "The real danger in this storm has never been the wind – there has always been talk of rain."
Authorities took unprecedented precautions: the governor said it was the first time that all the gates were shut in the hurricane risk reduction system of the New Orleans area. Still, he said do not expect the river to overflow the dikes.
NOAA / NWS
The workers also supported and lifted the dike system in places with beams, plates and other barriers. Due to the slow pace of the storm, it could generate a deluge of water.
"Louisiana can flood in three ways: storm surge, high rivers and rain.We will have all three," Edwards said.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the city's pumps were running "at their optimum capacity".
Marc Liverman of CBS News reported that some residents were not at risk with the storm. Clarence Brocks, of Phoenix, Louisiana, said he and his family were getting enough clothes for three days, as well as "flashlights, good batteries and that sort of thing, because that's the routine In this area, you must always evacuate. "
He said that they would come back after the storm because that is the only house they've ever known.
Some Louisians choose to stay
Trump 's emergency declaration releases more federal resources and will help coordinate the response to the impending disaster. Before the storm, Louisians in low-lying areas moored boats, stocked supplies, prepared sandbags, and were released on Thursday, CBS This Morning reporter David Begnaud reported from Grand Isle.
"Whenever there is a disturbance, it always bothers me," said Ken Smith.
But some chose to stay. "Help people who need help, help them, have fun," said a man.
Begnaud reported that Grand Isle, one of the parishes that ordered the evacuation, has five permanent drainage pumps and that she brought six temporary pumps to help with the expected flood.
FEMA personnel were already on the ground in Louisiana and 3,000 members of the National Guard were also called in to help.
New Orleans residents prepare for floods
Improvements to the Hurricane Katrina storm system in 2005 are about to be put to the test.
In New Orleans, the storms that sparked flash floods on Wednesday reminded people of what a flood can do. Cantrell said the drainage pumps were working, but "we can not get out of the water and waterfalls that should be affected".
All eyes were on the dikes protecting the city. The planned summit was, however, revised downward on Thursday and the Army Corps of Engineers said it was not expecting an overtaking of the dikes.
Storm surge forecasts released by the National Weather Service Friday night indicate that the Mississippi River could reach a ridge just above 17 feet – the threshold for the official flood stage.
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