Tropical Storm Barry threatens to pack its biggest punch not with high winds but heavy rain and a dangerous storm surge.
Doug Stanglin, Doyle Rice and Leigh GuidryNEW ORLEANS – Tropical Storm Barry, building strength as it churned through the heated waters of the Gulf of Mexico, was on track to hit the Louisiana coast early Saturday as a Category 1 hurricane, threatening to pack its biggest punch not with high winds but heavy rain and a dangerous storm surge.
Edwards said there are forecasts for 10 to 20 inches of rain over widespread areas and up to 25 inches in isolated areas. NHC Director Ken Graham warned that the"preparedness window" is shrinking: “It’s powerful. It’s strengthening. And water is going to be a big issue.” Heavy rain packs the biggest danger over the region through the weekend. Forecasters said up to 20 inches is expected over southeast Louisiana, including New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Alexandria, and in southwest Mississippi, with as much as 25 inches in some isolated areas.
A spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers, however, expressed confidence that the levee system could handle the rapid rise, even if water should spill over in some spots. For residents of New Orleans, the message from authorities was to hunker down. Mayor Latoya Cantrell noted that the city only orders evacuations for a Category 3 hurricane or stronger."Therefore, sheltering in place is our strategy," the mayor said.
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