The Corps of Engineers says heavy rains and storm surge from a tropical system will push the Mississippi River to 20 feet in New Orleans, which could result in some levees being overtopped. Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says they do not expect potential overtoppings to be widespread, but they’ve begun additional surveying to see if some areas could use reinforcement.

Cut 5  (08) “…worse” 

Boyett says their concerns at the moment about areas south of New Orleans and parts of Plaquemines Parish are under a mandatory evacuation.

The slow moving system is predicted to make landfall in south-central/southwest Louisiana, but National Weather Service Lake Charles forecaster Donovan Landreneau says the system is set to drop a ton of rain in certain areas of the state, somewhat similar to the tropical system that created the 2016 August floods.

Cars and homes could be flooded by soon-to-be Hurricane Barry. Here’s some tips for how to respond before and after…

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Director of Lafayette Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Craig Stansbury says their main concern with this storm is flooding and they want to encourage residents to pay attention to the forecast and not get caught off guard.

Cut 9 (06) “…or afterwards.”

Here’s the most recent update from the National Weather Service has Maximum sustained winds near 35 mph.  The system is moving west northwest. The associated thunderstorm activity is gradually becoming better organized, and the disturbance is expected to become a tropical depression today, and could become a hurricane by late Friday.  Most importantly to note this storm is predicted to bring with it is up to 20 inches of rain.

National Weather Service Lake Charles forecaster Donovan Landreneau says Hurricane watches are in effect for the Louisiana coast from the mouth of the Mississippi River all the way to the Texas border. Landreneau says no matter where the system lands, much of the state will feel the effects all the way through early next week.

Cut 15 (11) “…soon.”

Landreneau says this system is similar to the one that caused the August 2016 floods.

This storm system will push the Mississippi River up to 20 feet in New Orleans, putting levees at risk of being over topped. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

In Lafayette, parish officials are putting equipment into place and lining up first responders. Director of Lafayette Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Craig Stansbury says they are getting two briefings a day from the National Weather Service.

Cut 8 (06) “…need be”

The most recent update from the National Weather Service has Maximum sustained winds near 35 mph. Moving west north west and the disturbance is forecast to become a tropical depression today, and could become a hurricane by late Friday.  Most importantly to note this storm is predicted to bring with it is up to 20 inches of rain.

The National Weather Service is Briefing State Officials and Emergency Personnel about the forecast so they can be as proactive as possible to the current situation. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

As the storm moves westward and impacts Louisiana, parishes along the coastline are preparing. In Vermilion Parish they have issued a voluntary evacuation order for low-laying areas.  Director of Vermilion Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Becky Broussard says they are expecting plenty of rain.

Cut 7 (10) “…center yet.”

Soon-to-be Hurricane Barry has the potential to flood homes and cars, and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has some tips on how to prepare for that outcome. Donelon says first up, contact your insurance company the moment you see any flood damage to insure the fastest possible resolution of your claim.

Cut 11 (09) “…expedited.”

In addition to filing your claim ASAP, Donelon says you have a duty to minimize your damage after being flooded.

The Corps of Engineers says heavy rains and storm surge from a tropical system will push the Mississippi River to 20 feet in New Orleans, which could result in some levees being overtopped. Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says the levee system runs 20-25 feet high, and during the high water period, water will nearly reach the tops as the storm gets closer.

Cut 4 (11) “…time”

Parts of Plaquemines Parish are under a mandatory evacuation that began 6 a.m this morning. The east bank of the parish south of the Oakville Floodgate to Venice

The slow moving system is predicted to make landfall in south-central/southwest Louisiana, but National Weather Service Lake Charles forecaster Donovan Landreneau says the system is set to drop a ton of rain in certain areas of the state, somewhat similar to the tropical system that created the 2016 August floods.

Cut 16  (07) “that…dollars”  

In Lafayette, parish officials are prepping and putting equipment into place and lining up first responders. Director of Lafayette Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Craig Stansbury says even when officials are proactive and close roads due to flooding, first responders still have to put themselves at risk

Cut 10 (14) “…done that.”

There is a voluntary evacuation order for low-laying areas of Vermillion Parish and residents in Acadia Parish south of highway 92.

The state is bracing for a slow moving tropical system that’s expected to drop a ton of rain and make landfall as Hurricane Barry Saturday. 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.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says be prepared for a significant rain and storm surge event from the storm system will push three to six feet of storm surge along the coasts and dump up to 15 inches of rain across parts of south Louisiana. Edwards has declared a statewide emergency. He says this is just not a south Louisiana event…

Cut 7 (10) “…as well”

A Hurricane watch is in effect for much of the coast.

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 they have several sandbagging areas for residents and business owners. Some may also be impacted by storm surge.

Cut 10 (09) “…storm surge flooding.”

State Climatologist Barry Keim says the reason this system went from nothing to a major problem is due to gulf surface temps being in the mid to upper 80s, giving the system plenty of fuel…

Cut 11 (11) “…morning”

Many streets in New Orleans turned into rivers this morning as an estimated eight inches of rain fell during a three-hour period over parts of the city this morning…

Cut 14 (07) “…just horrible.”

Most of the state’s coast is now under a Hurricane Watch with the most recent forecast showing a system in the Gulf will develop into Hurricane Barry and make landfall somewhere along the south-central to southwest Louisiana coast Saturday.  National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Erickson says one concern that comes with this storm is the possibility of tornados.

Cut 5 (06) “…some tornadic areas.”

Several cyclones were witnessed in Lake Ponchartrain near the University of New Orleans campus.

Along with tornadoes, 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.”

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

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The state is making preparations for a possible slow-moving hurricane to batter the Louisiana coast this weekend. Kevin Barnhart has the story…

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Significant street flooding has occurred in New Orleans this morning as much as eight inches of rain fell in a short period of time with iconic locations in the French Quarter such as Royal Street and Hotel Monteleon having viral videos showing at least a foot of water in lobbies.

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.

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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.”