Tropical storm forms in the Gulf of Mexico
Posted July 11, 2019 6:56 am.
Last Updated July 11, 2019 1:37 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW ORLEANS – The anxiety level is rising along the Gulf of Mexico’s upper coast, in particular parts of southeast Louisiana, as a tropical disturbance gathers strength.
The storm, which walloped New Orleans with flooding on Wednesday, has strengthen into a tropical storm called Barry. Forecasters had predicted it would turn into a tropical storm by Thursday night and say it could become a hurricane as it threatens Louisiana.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center says the storm’s maximum sustained winds Thursday morning are near 40 mph (64 kph) with additional strengthening expected during the next day or two.
A tropical storm warning is now in effect for the Louisiana coast from the mouth of the Pearl River to Morgan City.
There is the widespread danger of flash floods like the one that walloped New Orleans and the Mississippi River is already high, with water reaching the tops of levees this weekend.
Officials said the storm that hit New Orleans dumped as much as 20 centimetres in parts of the metro area in three hours.
Forecasters said Louisiana could see up to 30 centimetres of rain by Monday. Some areas could get 46 centimetres.
