The 10PM advisory from the National Hurricane Center indicates Tropical Storm Barry continues to creep closer toward Morgan City at a rate of 3 miles per hour. The advisory shows the storm to be 75 miles south of Morgan City. Maximum sustained winds are at 65 miles per hour. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s still some uncertainty, but forecasters are increasingly confident about the system’s track.
Caddo and Bossier Parish deputies are being deployed to south Louisiana as part of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Task Force. Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Bobby Herring says rescue teams and equipment are making the trip at the request of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s office.
Cut 12 (11) “…high water trucks.”
President Trump makes a federal declaration of emergency for Louisiana as Tropical Storm Barry approaches. Congressman Garret Graves says the declaration allows for Homeland Security and FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts.
Cut 14 (09) “…for this storm.”
Graves says there are open lines of communication between the Bayou state and DC and says the feds are keeping a finger on the pulse of the situation.
Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana residents need to be ready for a major rain event as Tropical Storm Barry approaches Louisiana’s coastline. Edwards says they also expect to conduct search and rescue missions
It appears the storm surge his less than originally forecast, with the Mississippi River levels expected to peak out just above 17 feet.