A tropical system near the panhandle is projected to grow into Hurricane Barry and make landfall along the southwest Louisiana coast Saturday…

cut  2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”  

Many streets in New Orleans turned into rivers as an estimated eight inches of rain fell during a three-hour period over parts of the city this morning. Many businesses, homes and vehicles were damaged by rising rain water….

Cut 14 (07) “…just horrible.”

The state is bracing for a slow moving tropical system that’s expected to drop a ton of rain. Ten-to-15 inches of rain is possible. National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Erickson says much of that rainfall will come between Friday and Sunday.

Cut 3 (09) “…of that obviously.”

In New Orleans there was a tornado reported near the UNO campus and several waterspouts over Lake Ponchartrain this morning.

Based on current projections, Terrebonne Parish could get the brunt of what may be Hurricane Barry. Director of the Terrebonne Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Earl Eues says workers are already alleviating issues with the parish’s drainage system.

Cut 9 (09) “…that we’re expecting.”

Eues says they have several sandbagging areas for residents and business owners in Terrebone Parish.

Governor Edwards is encouraging you to be prepared for a significant rain and storm surge event from a storm system that’s expected to strengthen into a Category One Hurricane and make landfall in southwest Louisiana over the weekend. Edwards anticipates a storm surge near the mouth of the Mississippi River between three and four feet. The River is already at a very high level and Edwards says there will likely be overtopping of levees in Plaquemines Parish

Cut 8 (12) “…over topping.”

Terrebonne Parish could get the brunt of what may be Hurricane Barry. With up to 15 inches of rain forecasted to fall in Houma through Monday. Director of the Terrebonne Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Earl Eues says they have several sandbagging areas for residents and business owners.

Cut 10 (09) “…storm surge flooding.”

That tropical system creeping towards the state is expected to develop into Hurricane Barry and make landfall on the southwestern Louisiana coast on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says even if the storm does make landfall in the southwestern portion of The Boot, the system’s current track will have it slowly creep past the southeastern coast, bringing storm surge.

Cut 13 (11) “…higher.”

National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Erickson is predicting that storm system will bring Ten-to-15 inches of rain to the Bayou state. Levees in New Orleans are built to handle 20 to 21 feet river levels. Erickson says another concern that comes with this storm is the possibility of tornados.

Cut 5 (06) “…some tornadic areas.”

We will continue to update you on the storm system.

A tropical system creeping towards the state is expected to develop into Hurricane Barry and make landfall on the southwestern Louisiana coast on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says with it’s current tracking, the most severe area of the hurricane will slam right through the south-central portion of the state.

Cut 12 (12) “…rain.”

South-central Louisiana is bracing for 10 to 15 inches of rain.

Governor Edwards is sounding the alarm and calling on residents to get an action plan in place ahead of the soon-to-be Hurricane Barry. Edwards is expected to declare a statewide emergency and He says even thought he system will make landfall in south Louisiana, this is just not a south Louisiana event…

Cut 7 (10) “…as well”

He says they anticipate a storm surge near the mouth of the Mississippi River between three and four feet.

37% of college students report they have used illicit drugs or have abused alcohol on a regular basis and Southeastern Louisiana University is taking steps to combat that. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “.Matt Doyle”

The state is making preparations for a possible slow-moving hurricane to batter the Louisiana coast this weekend. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Significant street flooding has occurred in New Orleans this morning as much as eight inches of rain fell in a short period of time. A tornado was spotted near the U-N-O campus and waterspouts in Gentilly. Meanwhile, the northern half of the state is under a heat advisory.

Reviewing our top story, a tropical system creeping towards the state is expected to develop into Hurricane Barry and make landfall on the southwestern Louisiana coast on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the sea surface temperatures in the gulf are in the mid to upper 80s, and wind shear is expected to decrease, giving the system plenty of fuel to develop.
Cut 11 (11) “…morning”
Based on current projections, Terrebonne Parish could get the brunt of what may be Hurricane Barry. Terrebonne Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Earl Eues says workers are already alleviating issues with the parish’s drainage system.
Cut 9 (09) “…that we’re expecting.”
10 to 15 inches of rain is forecasted to fall in Houma.

Governor John Bel Edwards says be prepared for a significant rain and storm surge event from a storm system that’s expected to strengthen into a Category One Hurricane and make landfall in southwest Louisiana over the weekend. Edwards says the yet to be named storm will move slowly towards the Louisiana coast
Cut 6 (12) “…certain areas”
He says they are anticipating a storm surge near the mouth of the Mississippi River between three and four feet. National Weather Service Meteorologist Tim Erickson says the river is expected to hit 19 feet on Friday and a flood warning has been issued for the New Orleans area…
Cut 4 (10) “…at actually developing.”
Levees in New Orleans are built to handle 20 to 21 feet river levels.

Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond launches “Lion Up Recovery,” the first public university collegiate recovery program in the state that will help students who are recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. Interim program coordinator Madison Evans says the program will have on-campus support groups and sober social events.
Cut 13 (09) “…home football games.”
Evans says academic advising and counseling will also be available to students in the program.

12-year-old Owen Osborne of Shreveport appeared on the Food Network’s Chopped Junior cooking competition last night. The 2016 Michelle Obama Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winner has spent several years in the culinary spotlight, and credits his success to learning the basics first…
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Osborne is doing a series of cooking demonstrations this summer, the next one is July 11th at the Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport.

Governor Edwards met with his unified command group as the state prepares for a slow moving storm that could drop up to 15 inches of rain in some parts of the state. There’s already been widespread street flooding in New Orleans. Edwards says he plans to call a statewide state of emergency and is asking residents to not take this weather event lightly.

Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham, along with the Republican Governor’s Association are tapping into the President’s statewide popularity with their gubernatorial campaign ads…
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Southeastern Louisiana has become the first university in the state to establish a program to help students who are dealing with substance abuse issues. It’s called Lion Up Recovery and S-L-U’s Interim Coordinator of Collegiate Recovery Madison Evans says unfortunately a large portion of college students have abused alcohol and drugs…
cut 14 (10) “….for substance dependency”
Lion Up Recovery will have on-campus support groups and sober social events.

12-year-old Shreveport chef Owen Osborne got “chopped” but showed off some culinary talent while on the Food Network’s Chopped Junior last night. The program challenges young chefs to prepare meals with a seemingly random collection of ingredients, testing the cook’s creativity. Osborne kept a cool head
Cut 7 (10) “…with that.”
Unfornately Osborne’s pasta didn’t taste well enough for the judges.

As the state hunkers down for the arrival of a tropical system, the big topic of conversation is the rainfall totals. The largest rainfall amounts range anywhere from 6-12 inches. National Weather Service Slidell meteorologist Tim Erickson says much of that rainfall will come between Friday and Sunday.
Cut 3 (09) “…of that obviously.”
Erickson says another concern that comes with this storm is the possibility of tornados. Some forecast models project the system has a shot at becoming a hurricane. National Hurricane Center Senior Hurricane Specialist Jack Bevan says between warm surface temps in the gulf and upper-level winds, conditions are favorable for further development.

Cut 11 (08) “…much of its lifetime.”

Gov. John Bel Edwards will host a Unified Command Group meeting today to discuss potential developments and the possible impacts in Louisiana.

Republicans are name dropping President Trump early and often in a series of new gubernatorial campaign ads. UL Lafayette Poli Sci professor Pearson Cross says even though the race is about state issues, candidates know just saying the President’s name can get people to tune in…

Cut 4 (11) “…pay attention”

The words “President Trump” are often mentioned even before candidate’s names, Governor Edwards, or “Louisiana” in recent ads.

Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond launches “Lion Up Recovery,” the first and only public university collegiate recovery program in the state addressing issues with drug and alcohol abuse in the college setting. Interim program coordinator Madison Evans says the program will have on-campus support groups and sober social events.

Cut 13 (09) “…home football games.”

The National Hurricane Center anticipates Invest 92L will become a tropical depression over the northern Gulf of Mexico by Thursday. Kevin Barnhart reports excessive rainfall for the Bayou State is expected…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The National Hurricane Center says storm surge and wind watches could be issued later today. Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with his unified command team at this hour. Rainfall totals through Monday could be as high as 15 inches for some areas of the state.

Southeastern Louisiana is the first school in the state to have a voluntary program to help students who are recovering from a drug or alcohol abuse addiction. Interim program coordinator Madison Evans says the program called “Lion Up Recovery” will have on-campus support groups and sober social events. She says the program can also be an important tool in combatting the hazing culture that come with college life…
cut 15 (11) “….to do anything”
Today is day two of testimony in the Matthew Naquin trial. He’s the former LSU student facing negligent homicide and obstruction of justice charges in the suspected hazing death of fratnerity pledge Maxwell Gruver. The coroner says Gruver died from alcohol poisioning. But Naquin’s attorney told the six-person jury that Gruver was not forced to drink, while the prosecution claims Naquin was over the top during a hazing ritual.