Barry has officially developed into a hurricane just off the coast of south-central Louisiana, and is headed north-northwest at 6 miles per hour on a collision course for Vermillion Parish in the Lake Arthur area. Once it hits land, the system is expected to track just west of Lafayette and up into Alexandria.

It’s been a relatively dry morning for most of south Louisiana, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says expect that to change further into the afternoon.

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Barry is still expected to bring 10 to 20 inches of rain to parts of south Louisiana, but a recent model shows that heavy rainfall zone will now no longer include New Orleans, which is expected to get 4-8 inches of rain.

The heaviest rainfall is projected to take place just west of Baton Rouge and span south to the coast, and over to Lafayette.

With heavy rainfall anticipated in the Baton Rouge region the Cajun Navy has mobilized at L’Auberge Casino and Hotel in south Baton Rouge. They’re putting the call out for additional volunteers to assist in post-storm flood rescue and recovery, but founder Todd Terrell says with the conditions they are expecting, not all boats are a good fit…

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Those looking to volunteer can contact the Navy’s on Facebook.

So far we’ve seen water overtop a Myrtle Grove levee in Plaquemines Parish. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says it’s not a levee failure.

Several shelters have opened to provide residents refuge from the effects of Barry. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says if you are heading to one, bring personal hygiene items, medications, and don’t worry about food…

Cut 7 (12) “…suitcases.”

Tropical Storm Barry continues to slowly make its way towards the Louisiana coast, eyeing a landfall near Vermilion Bay later this morning or early this afternoon, possibly as a Category One hurricane. So far we’ve seen water overtop a Myrtle Grove levee in Plaquemines Parish.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says it’s not a levee failure and state and local officials anticipate this type of issue.

The U-S Coast Guard was called to rescue 12 people and a cat from a flooded island in Terrebonne Parish. And strong winds are causing scattered power outages.

So far not much rain from Barry. Radar indicates strong storms on the Mississippi Gulf coast, the Florida Panhandle and south Alabama, while the significant rainfall for Louisiana remains offshore.

The Bayou State is still expecting 10 to 20 inches of rain for south central and southeast Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana is also under a flash flood watch until Monday morning.

Tropical Storm Barry’s maximum sustained winds are 70-miles an hour and dangerous storm surge and heavy rain are expected. Governor Edwards says the state has done a lot to prepare for this storm…
cut 10 (11) “…has served it

Storm shelters are available and calling 211 is the best way to stay up to date…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Tropical Storm Barry is gaining strength as it approaches Louisiana’s coastline.It’s maximum sustained winds are 70-miles per hour, just short of hurricane strength. A landfall is expected near Vermilion Parish. Phil Grigsby with the National Weather Service says the significant rainfall will come after landfall…
cut 15 (08) “…higher amounts”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has sent pictures to the media showing the overtopping of a levee in Plaquemines Parish near Myrtle Grove. Upstream in New Orleans, Governor John Bel Edwards is confident in the levee system…
cut 9 (12) “…out of 120 pumps worked”
The projected crest of the Mississippi River in New Orleans is down to 17 feet.

The U-S Coast Guard was called this morning to rescue a dozen people stranded by flooding on an island in Terrebonne Parish. The island was placed under a voluntary evacuation. Shelters are open across south Louisiana and Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says many of them are pet friendly, but call the shelter hotline number at 2-1-1…
cut 8 (08) “…set up”

Barry’s track shows the storm is not just a south Louisiana problem as forecasts show the system will likely be a tropical storm as it moves right over Alexandria Sunday morning. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says local officials worked hard to prepare, but he’s seen less urgency from some of his constituents…
Cut 12 (08) “…that.”
Barry is expected to be a tropical depression in north Louisiana on Sunday afternoon.

Tropical Storm Barry continues to get stronger as it approaches Louisiana’s coastline…
cut 14 (10) “…75 miles an hour”
That’s Phil Grigsby with the National Weather Service in Slidell. The 7 AM advisory from the National Hurricane Center has Barry’s maximum sustained winds at 70-miles per hour and it’s made a slight turn to the northwest at five miles per hour. The center of Barry is 50 miles west-southwest of Morgan City and about 60-miles south of Lafayette.

The official forecast track of Barry has the storm as a tropical storm just north of Lafayette early Sunday morning. And the center of the storm will be a tropical depression in north Louisiana tomorrow afternoon.

Barry is still expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 20 inches over south-central and southeast Louisiana. A lot of rain will not happen until after landfall.

Several shelters have opened to provide residents refuge from the effects of Barry. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says your parish leaders will provide shelter locations, but the best way to get that info is dialing 2-1-1.
Cut 6 (12) “…will be”.

Is opening of the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish an option to help alleviate pressure on Mississippi River levees downstream? Governor Edwards says it’s not because, an operation of that magnitude takes about ten days to stage, and it would redirect river water to places that do not need any more water.
Cut 11 (09) “…were gonna go.”
The predicted crest of the Mississippi River in New Orleans has been lowered to 17 feet and the levee system can handle a 20 to 25-foot crest.

The National Hurricane Center still believes Tropical Storm Barry will make landfall by midday as a Category One Hurricane in the Vermilion Bay-Morgan City area. The storm’s maximum sustained winds are 65 miles per hour and its moving west-northwest at five miles per hour. The official forecast track has shifted a little to the west.

Governor John Bel Edwards has expressed his confidence in the state’s readiness for Barry. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Numerous shelters have opened across south Louisiana as flooding and power outages will force people out of their homes. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says if you head to a shelter, bring personal hygiene items, medications and…
cut 7 (12) “…suitcases”
Food is also provided at these shelters.

The Coast Guard has been called to rescue a dozen people in Terrebonne Parish who are trapped as a result of rising waters. Other search and rescue operations are expected to take place. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says if you are interested in volunteering, go to their Facebook page and leave a message or download an app called ZELLO…
cut 5 (10) “…hands”

The official track of Tropical Storm Barry has moved slightly to the west, with a landfall closer to Cameron Parish. Maximum sustained winds are at 65 miles per hour and the National Hurricane Center still projects Barry to strengthen to a hurricane before reaching the coastline. Phil Grigsby is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service…
cut 16 (07) “…be upgraded”
Barry is expected to dump 10 to 20 inches of rain over south-central and southeast Louisiana. The slow-moving storm has given the state time to prepare, but Governor Edwards says with every storm there is the great unknown…
cut 10 (11) “…has severed it”
Barry is moving a little faster in a west-northwest direction at five miles per hour.

The United Cajun Navy has mobilized at L’Auberge Casino and Hotel in Baton Rouge ahead of what is expected to be a severe flooding event from Barry’s rainfall. Founder Todd Terrell says the riverboat casino is a good spot to gather, with its central location in the soon-to-be inundated region.
Cut 3 (09) “.there”
Terrell says if you are interested in volunteering with the Navy, go to their Facebook page and leave a message, or download an app called ZELLO.

Barry’s track shows the storm is not just a south Louisiana problem as forecasts show the system will likely be a tropical storm as it moves right over Alexandria early Sunday morning. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says local officials worked hard to prepare, but he’s seen less urgency from some of his constituents…
Cut 12 (08) “…that.”

Storm shelters are available and calling 211 is the best way to stay up to date with shelter openings in your area…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

__________________________

 Governor John Bel Edwards has expressed his confidence in the state’s readiness for Barry.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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The United Cajun Navy has mobilized at L’Auberge Casino and Hotel in Baton Rouge ahead of what is expected to be a likely flooding event brought by Barry’s rainfall.

Founder Todd Terrell says the riverboat casino is a good spot to gather, with its central location in the soon-to-be inundated region.

Cut 3 (09) “.there”

They’re putting the call out for additional volunteers to assist in post-storm flood rescue and recovery, but Terrell says with the conditions they are expecting, not all boats are a good fit…

Cut 4 (10) “…things”

Terrell says if you are interested in volunteering with the Navy, go to their Facebook page and leave a message, or download an app called ZELLO.

Cut 5  (10) “…hands” 

_______________________

Several shelters have opened to provide residents refuge from the effects of Barry. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says you can keep track of different shelter locations by listening to your parish leaders, but the best way to get that info is dialing 2-1-1.

Cut 6 (12) “…will be”.

Walters adds 2-1-1 will likely be a more up to date and reliable method of finding shelters than relying on lists published online.

The Secretary says if you are heading to a shelter, bring personal hygiene items, medications, and you don’t need to worry about food because you will be fed and taken care of, but…

Cut 7 (12) “…suitcases.”

Good news for pet owners, as state shelters will have pet facilities. But not every shelter will be a state-run operation, and Walters says you should check ahead of time to make sure your local shelter is pet-friendly.

Cut 8 (08) “…set up.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards is confident in the state’s ability to handle the wrath of Tropical Storm Barry.  Edwards says on Wednesday, New Orleans pumping operations were given a test, and they did fairly well…

Cut 9 (12) “…out of 120 pumps worked.”

Edwards says no matter how prepared a state may be, a storm like Barry is always a wild card.

Cut 10 (11) “…has served it.”

Many have questioned why the Army Corp of Engineers has not opened the Morganza Spillway in response to the storm.  Edwards says an operation of that magnitude takes about ten days to stage, and it would be redirecting river water to places that didn’t need any more water.

Cut 11 (09) “…were gonna go.”

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Barry’s track shows the storm is not just a south Louisiana problem as forecasts show the system will likely be a tropical storm as it moves right over Alexandria early Sunday morning. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says local officials worked hard to prepare, but he’s seen less urgency from some of his constituents…

Cut 12 (08) “…that.”

Alexandria is in for some rough weather, but further to the south, the system will trigger severe flooding, which will likely require rescues and evacuations. Luneau says the state’s mega shelter located near LSU-Alexandria is ready

Cut 13 (11) “…home.”

People rescued during search and rescue operations will be taken to this shelter.

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Barry is expected to make landfall later this morning as a Category 1 Hurricane. National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby says the storm appears to be getting better organized.

Cut 14 (09) “…look at it.”

While the risks associated with storm surge appear to have fizzled out, the strong threat still remains with excessive rainfall and possible tornado activity.

Cut 15 (10) “…higher amounts.”

Grigsby says planes are flying through the storm collecting data to get a better picture of the storm

Cut 16  (12) “out there”  

The latest advisory on Tropical Storm Barry shows a more western track and a landfall likely closer to Cameron Parish. Its rainbands have begun to move onshore. Still anticipating a dangerous storm surge, heavy rain and wind conditions expected across the north-central Gulf Coast. As of four A-M, Barry is 55 miles southwest of Morgan City, with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour. It’s moving west north-west at five miles per hour. And there’s good news regarding the Mississippi River, the crest in New Orleans has been lowered to 17 feet.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he feels confident in the state’s ability to handle the wrath of Tropical Storm Barry. Edwards says on Wednesday, New Orleans pumping operations were given a test, and they did fairly well…
Cut 9 (12) “…out of 120 pumps worked.”

Storm shelters are opening across the state and calling 211 is the best way to stay up to date with shelter openings in your area…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

The state’s mega shelter located near LSU-Alexandria is ready to hold two-thousand evacuees. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau…
cut 13 (11) “…home”
People rescued during search and rescue operations will be taken to this shelter.

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.

Cut 24 (17) “…New Orleans”

At this time, Barry is still considered a tropical storm, but the upgrade to cat 1 hurricane status is still expected before landfall.

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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 expects Barry will produce numerous power outages mainly caused by trees falling on power lines

Cut 7 (12) “…the state”

Individuals who are rescued by first responders could be taken to the state’s mega-shelter in Alexandria.

Caddo and Bossier Parish deputies have been deployed to Baton Rouge 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. Herring says deputies that remain back in their jurisdiction will likely also be very busy with concerns created from the storm.

Cut 13 (09) “…could be dangerous.”

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.

Cut 26 (09) “…storm”

Heavy rainfall is still a major concern, but Grigsby says tornado warnings are now being issued in portions of coastal Louisiana.

Cut 27 (11) “…our pumps”

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

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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.