Barry is projected to make landfall near Morgan City as a strong tropical storm or Category one hurricane, but Mayor Boo Grizzaffi says he believes they’ll be just fine. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”
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In the face of a rain event that could rival the 2016 floods, residents are armoring their homes and businesses with sandbags. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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State officials are keeping a close eye on Louisiana’s already swollen rivers as Barry threatens to dump up to two feet of water in some areas…
Cut 3 (30) “.Matt Doyle”
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Morgan City looks to be at the center of most tracks for Tropical Storm Barry and the coastal city preparing for a possible Saturday morning landfall. Three to six feet of storm surge is expected along the coast along with category one hurricane force winds and heavy rains, but Morgan City Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi says the city should remain safe.
Cut 4 (11) “…fine”
The largest city in St. Mary Parish, Morgan City is home to about 12,000 people.
Grizzaffi says they’ve drained their drainage canals down to the mud, and all of the cities pumps have recently been redone, but there may still be street flooding.
Cut 5 (10) “…catch up”
Regardless of how much flash flooding from rain the city gets, Grizzaffi is confident that the city is not in any danger of taking on water from coastal storm surge.
Cut 6 (12) “…to go.
The mayor says the city’s backwater levees have been lifted and have never previously been overtopped or breached.
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The threat of a major rainfall event similar to the 2016 floods has many grabbing sandbags for their homes and businesses. Jacob from Baton Rouge says he’s seen many neighbors helping neighbors in preparation for the arrival of Tropical Storm Barry.
Cut 7 (10) “…and not need.”
Sandbags are being dispersed in flood-prone areas of the state. Nicole from Baton Rouge says she was flooded in 2016, and is grateful for the opportunity to utilize the bags being distributed by the department of public works.
Cut 8 (13) “…never flooded before.”
St. George Fire Department on Airline is one of the locations where the bags and sand are constantly being replenished for distribution. Chief of Training Matt Ard says there are plenty of shovels, so there is no need to bring your own. Ard does have a few safety recommendations though.
Cut 9 (10) “…protect themselves.”
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Tropical Storm Barry is set to bring rain totals not seen in many places since the 2016 floods, with rainfall totals of 18-24 inches in some places threatening to swell south Louisiana rivers. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s not a great time for a system like Barry to drop by, considering rivers are already swollen with upstream water and run-off.
Cut 10 (11) “…full.”
Edwards says this system has the potential to threaten areas that have just begun to recover from historic flooding three years ago by dumping nearly two feet of rainwater.
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There’s been serious concerns that the Mississippi River, which is already at a high level, could be overtopped when storm surge hits the mouth of the river, but Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Chip Kline has some good news.
Cut 12 (10) “…overtopped.”
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Rainfall is the biggest concern from Barry at his point. National Weather Service Slidell meteorologist Phil Grigsby says the lion’s share of that rain starts today and could possibly continue through Sunday.
Cut 13 (10) “…in that area.”
Grigsby says there are many aspects of this flooding threat that shares parallels with 2016 flooding.
Cut 14 (09) “…east around Hammond.”
Grigsby says while the rain does take top billing on the list of concerns, storm surge is certainly a major concern as well.
Cut 15 (10) “…in those areas.”