Tropical Storm Barry appears set to slam into south-central Louisiana and inundate the region with incredible levels of rainfall. Matt Doyle has more.
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Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana is looking at a major rain event as Tropical Storm Barry shows signs of strengthening into a hurricane. Jeff Palermo has the story….
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Tropical Storm Barry has picked up strength, and is projected to be a category one hurricane when it makes landfall near Morgan City around seven in the morning on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s still some uncertainty, but forecasters are increasingly confident about the system’s track.
Keim says the slow-moving storm could still be in central Louisiana by late Saturday night.
Several feet of storm surge is predicted along the coast, but Keim says the biggest concern is the 10-20 inches of rain that will fall across south Louisiana, particularly on the east side of the track.
There’s been debate as to whether or not the system will be a tropical storm or hurricane when it makes landfall, but Keim says, either way, the amount of rain will be nearly identical.
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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
Edwards expects Barry will produce numerous power outages mainly caused by trees falling on power lines
Edwards says they also expect to conduct search and rescue missions
Individuals who are rescued by first responders could be taken to the state’s mega-shelter in Alexandria.
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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
Cut 10 (08) “…let’s just be safe.”
Mallett says in preparation for this flash flooding event, D-O-T-D crews have been cleaning out ditches
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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.”
Herring says deputies that remain in their jurisdiction will likely also remain very busy with concerns created from the storm.
Cut 13 (09) “…could be dangerous.”
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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 with an imminent disaster, there are many uncertainties and it is vital government officials and residents to be over prepared.
Cut 15 (08) “…to under prepare.”
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.