Barry weakens to tropical depression in Louisiana, but flood threat remains high
Published Date: 7/15/2019
Source: axios.com
Barry was downgraded to a tropical depression over northwestern Louisiana Sunday. But the National Hurricane Center said there's "still a high risk of flash flooding" from heavy rain as it churns toward Arkansas, and forecasters issued several tornado warnings.Details: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) told a news conference Sunday that first responders rescued 93 people, and he said hundreds of thousands were without power following the storm.Tropical Depression #Barry Advisory 19: Tropical Depression Barry Continues Moving Slowly North Toward Arkansas. https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EM— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) July 15, 2019 The big picture: After a brief period as a Category 1 hurricane, Barry made landfall in Louisiana on Saturday, flooding highways, forcing people onto rooftops and dumping heavy rain across the state, per AP. The-then Tropical Storm Barry prompted preemptive evacuations, power outages, heavy rains and rescues along Louisiana's coast. Threat level: Sustained rain through the weekend is projected to push some Louisiana rivers to near record-setting flood stages. NOAA forecast the Tchefuncte River — which feeds into Lake Pontchartrain, just outside New Orleans — would reach 30 feet by 2 pm Monday.The impact: The rain, combined with a storm surge of 3–5 feet, could cause the Mississippi River to rise near or above 20 feet in New Orleans. NOAA forecasts the Tangipahoa River — which feeds into Lake Pontchartrain — to reach 21 feet by 2pm Tuesday.In Baton Rouge, the flood danger remained high: NOAA forecast the Amite River in Denham Springs would hit 41 feet by 3 pm Tuesday and the Comite River to break a record 34.5 feet by 3 pm Monday.Flash Flood Warning including Baton Rouge LA, Central LA, Zachary LA until 1:15 AM CDT pic.twitter.com/lFzsqDNLZu— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) July 15, 2019 VIDEO: LA Hwy 1 in the mandatory evacuation zone south of the levee system in Golden Meadow. Water is receding in Lafourche.As @FourchonPort has informed their tenants, the road is still closed due to water and debris on the roadway to Leeville, Fourchon, and Grand Isle. #Barry pic.twitter.com/ij2NpTf0BR— Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office (@LafourcheSO) July 14, 2019 REPORT: possible flow overtop levee in St Marys Parish bear Midway LA from Hwy 317 at 330 pm. Residents evacuating north @accuweather @breakingweather @NWSNewOrleans pic.twitter.com/59I9IbKIO4— Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) July 13, 2019 HAPPENING NOW: Crews opening the floodgate at Poydras near the Hilton Riverfront. #Barry pic.twitter.com/PiBzIm5vXg— Flood Protection Authority (@SLFPAE) July 14, 2019 Crews opening the gates at Felicity near the Port. Brought our the heavy equipment #Barry pic.twitter.com/gVJ0aXZ7DY— Flood Protection Authority (@SLFPAE) July 14, 2019 A large 🌊 from #TropicalStormBarry shattered the windshield of an OCSO Marine Unit Boat today outside #Destin #EastPass while Deputy Robert Wagner was trying to help a boater in distress. He was treated for facial cuts but everyone luckily ok. 🌊💨🌨 #TSBarry 😳 #weather #lesm pic.twitter.com/mpc4XcuXI8— OkaloosaSheriff (@OCSOALERTS) July 13, 2019 A levee overtopped in Plaquemines Parish. Thankfully no one has been reported hurt or missing. Hwy 23 is in danger of being flooded. @accuweather pic.twitter.com/lZr845X1Cs— Jonathan Petramala (@jpetramala) July 13, 2019 Flooding on Jean Lafitte Blvd. (LA45) pic.twitter.com/W5uaKxQWNe— Paul Dudley (@Pauldudleynews) July 13, 2019 REPORT: possible flow overtop levee in St Marys Parish bear Midway LA from Hwy 317 at 330 pm. Residents evacuating north @accuweather @breakingweather @NWSNewOrleans pic.twitter.com/59I9IbKIO4— Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) July 13, 2019 Editor's note: This article has been updated with more information from the NWS and the National Hurricane Center.Go deeper: In photos: Tropical Storm Barry's impact as it crawls across LouisianaWhy Barry risks overtopping New Orleans' levee system