The 10PM advisory from the National Hurricane Center indicates Tropical Storm Barry continues to creep closer. The advisory shows the storm to be 75 miles south of Morgan City. National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby says the storm appears to be getting better organized.
Heavy rainfall is still a major concern, but Grigsby says tornado warnings are now being issued in portions of coastal Louisiana.
It appears the storm surge is less of a threat than originally forecast, with the Mississippi River levels expected to peak out just above 17 feet.
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 the National Hurricane Center predicts 10 to 20 inches over south-central and southeast Louisiana, with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches
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.