The National Hurricane Center expects a tropical depression will form by Thursday from a broad area of low pressure that’s moving into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of the Florida panhandle. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the big concern is the potential for heavy rainfall starting Friday and lasting through the weekend.
Currently, the system is labeled as Invest 92.
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is keeping tabs on the brewing system in the Gulf as well. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says while no one knows exactly where the system will land, there are several precautions Louisiana residents need to start taking ahead of the storm as it could dump significant amounts of rain on the state.
Cut 5 (07) “…with your family.”
Projections show the system could bring enough rain to threaten some serious, localized flooding events.
The tropical development that could bring large amounts of rainfall to Louisiana later this week could have a mitigating impact on the Gulf of Mexico’s algae bloom. LSU Professor Dr. Nancy Rabalais says as the forecast becomes more clear, just how much of an effect the storm will have will be more apparent.
Toxic blooms have shuttered Mississippi’s beaches.
According to the National College Access Network’s FAFSA tracker, Louisiana ranks number one throughout the nation for application completion for a second year. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Executive Director Dr. Sujuan Boutté.
Cut 11 (12) “…completed their FAFSA.”
Nationwide, 53% of seniors have applied for FAFSA.