Tropical storm Barry is slowing moving towards the southern Louisiana coastline, according to the National Weather Service in their 10 o’clock advisory. It’s still expected to turn toward the northwest and come ashore early Saturday near Morgan City as a Category 1 Hurricane. It is expected to weaken once it makes landfall. It’s still clocking 65 mph winds and the pressure has remained constant since 7 o’clock. Good new for New Orleans as the Mississippi River is now expected to crest three feet lower than previously forecasted and is not expected to top the levees.
State Climatologist Barry Keim says the biggest concern with this storm is the 10-20 inches of rain that will fall across south Louisiana, particularly on the east side of the track.
Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Barry is expected to close numerous roads, especially south of Interstate 10. State Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says check 5-1-1-la-dot-org for road closures
Cut 9 (08) “…across the state”
Mallett says the slogan he likes to use during heavy rainfall events, don’t drown, turn around, which means don’t drive through high water
The system will move from Morgan City to Lafayette, and then into north Louisiana Sunday morning as a tropical depression. Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Bobby Herring says that’ll keep authorities busy…
Cut 13 (09) “…could be dangerous.
Herring says deputies that remain in their jurisdiction will likely also remain very busy with concerns created from the storm.