A state of emergency is in place in Louisiana as the region braces for Tropical Storm Barry, which could strengthen to a hurricane. The weather system is expected to make landfall in the next 24 hours, pushing a storm surge ahead of it.
New Orleans is preparing for intense flooding and services across the city are likely to be affected. The National Weather Service has issued a storm surge watch for Pearl River to Intracoastal City, warning that there is a ‘possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline in the watch area.’
Evacuations are possible – visitors should be aware of what form evacuation notices will take, and should comply with all instructions from local authorities. Do not take detours or shortcuts.
The National Hurricane Center has further information and regular updates.
4AM CDT on Potential Tropical Cyclone Two. No changes to ongoing watches. However, rainfall forecast has increased. The system is still expected to gradually gain strength south of Louisiana today and Friday and make landfall along the coast on Saturday. #lawx #mswx pic.twitter.com/xYP6X6xFof
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) July 11, 2019
DEVELOPING: Storm system in Gulf of Mexico forecast to become a tropical storm Thursday, and a hurricane on Friday, NWS says.
System expected to bring storm surge, 6-12 inches of rain in areas.
Tropical storm watch issued for parts of Louisiana coast. https://t.co/RQF3PIeaBr pic.twitter.com/UO3iyxuajb
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 10, 2019
Travel advice
If you are in the region –
- Monitor the local weather forecast. Use a couple of different apps and/or websites to get information from multiple sources.
- Put aside a storm kit to help you wait out the worst of the weather. Include food that will not spoil and bottled drinking water, candles and matches, a first aid kit, medication, torch, phone charge, batteries, cash.
- Know what form evacuation notices will take – siren, police announcement, text message, etc – and be prepared to comply with them. Put together a grab bag that contains ID, travel documents, insurance information, medication, snacks and a bottle of water.
- Comply with advice from the local authorities.
- The UK’s FCO recommends following @nolaready and @NWSNewOrleans. You might also want to follow @UKinTX @UKinUSA @FCOtravel. Enable push notifications, so that you will know as soon as new information is shared.
- Look up and save contact details for your local embassy or consular services, and emergency services (different branches may have different numbers). For all contact information, make sure you make a note of it in an offline location too – you may need to make a call from a payphone or landline after your phone battery has died.
- Make sure you have your travel insurance information to hand and know when to call. If you have booked your trip through a travel agent or a tour company, keep that information stored safely too.
- Stay indoors – damaged buildings continue to post a threat. Downed power lines can be deadly.
- Let people know where you are – friends and family, the local consulate, your travel agent/tour company, etc.
- If you are likely to be making a claim on your travel insurance, review the documents so you know what information you will need and what the process for making a claim is.
- Monitor local media.
- Keep mobile devices charged.
- Be prepared for delays and disruption.
- If something bad happens, check in with your local embassy as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you are heading to the region soon –
- Check in with your airline and travel agent to find out if your trip will be impacted.
- Monitor media reports.
- Talk to your travel insurance provider to check what is/is not covered, and plan accordingly.
Official travel advice
British Nationals in Louisiana, please follow @nolaready and @NWSNewOrleans Follow their advice, listen to officials and follow evacuation orders. @UKinTX @UKinUSA @FCOtravel @foreignoffice https://t.co/SM2G4bejK4
— Richard Hyde (@richardhyde99) July 10, 2019
#USA Severe flooding in New Orleans. A tropical storm is forecast in the Gulf of Mexico which could affect the coastal areas of Louisiana/Alabama from 12 July. Monitor weather updates from the National Weather Service/advice of local authorities More info: https://t.co/w9eml5F6zp pic.twitter.com/5iE50Scihq
— FCO travel advice (@FCOtravel) July 10, 2019
LOUISIANA – POTENTIAL CYCLONE: Irish citizens in New Orleans and Louisiana should closely monitor @NWSNewOrleans & @nolaready for updates on potential cyclone. Follow advice & any evacuation orders from local officials/law enforcement. @dfatravelwise @IrelandEmbUSA @dfatirl https://t.co/gixP1Agh3g
— Irish Consulate (@IrelandCGAustin) July 11, 2019
#UnitedStates: Potential tropical #cyclone #Two should make landfall between the mouth of the #MississippiRiver and #Cameron, #Louisiana, on or around July 12. Avoid travel through affected areas and follow the instructions of local authorities. https://t.co/fFv6hYAYQp
— travel.gc.ca (@TravelGoC) July 10, 2019
For more advice on what to do in the wake of a cyclone or hurricane, please visit the Red Cross and Ready.gov.
Further news and information
Louisiana declares a state of emergency ahead of a possible hurricane. Follow live updates: https://t.co/i2c5Ay52hr pic.twitter.com/H98V5z429Q
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) July 10, 2019
Louisiana just declared a state of emergency ahead of a possible hurricane.
The Mississippi River is expected to rise to 20 feet by late Friday.
Levees that protect New Orleans are 20 to 25 feet high. pic.twitter.com/hog8Zmw0vR
— AJ+ (@ajplus) July 10, 2019
WIll New Orleans flood? Tropical Storm Barry prompts concern as disturbance aims for Louisiana https://t.co/NtnEJiE7Yf
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) July 11, 2019
The US city of New Orleans was under a storm-surge watch along with a stretch of Louisiana coast as a tropical storm formed in the Gulf of Mexico, threatening the region with potentially life-threatening rainshttps://t.co/guUiCZBEEx
— AFP news agency (@AFP) July 10, 2019
First hurricane watch of 2019 season is issued as potential Hurricane Barry is expected to strike Louisiana https://t.co/uktcN58wjn pic.twitter.com/ncHHwa1LAH
— South Florida Sun Sentinel (@SunSentinel) July 10, 2019
New Orleans, States Along Gulf Brace for Torrential Rains
NEW ORLEANS, LA. – A tropical weather system was expected Wednesday to develop into a storm that could push the already swollen Mississippi River precariously close to the tops of levees that protect New Orleans….
Read the full article at the publisher’s site: https://www.voanews.com/usa/new-orleans-states-long-gulf-brace-torrential-rains
Storm may push Mississippi River to tops of levees that protect New Orleans
The low pressure area was over water, south of the Florida Panhandle early Wednesday and was expected to strengthen into a storm as it moved west through the Gulf’s warm waters. Forecasters say parts of Louisiana could see up to 12in (30….
Read the full article at the publisher’s site: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/10/mississippi-river-levees-new-orleans-rain-flooding
Like what you read? You can sign up here for our free Daily Updates. We also send out a Weekly K+R Update, bundling together all the kidnap, ransom and extortion news of the week in one easy to read newsletter. (Sign up on the same form using the options at the end.) |
---|
If you found this post valuable, please show your appreciation by buying us a coffee. Thank you.