Barry slightly strengthens as it crawls toward Louisiana
Tropical Storm Barry nears hurricane strength
Tropical Storm Barry is now producing 65 mph winds –– that's less than 10 mph away from hurricane strength.
The National Hurricane Center classifies a Category 1 hurricane as having 74 mph sustained winds. At that strength, winds could damage roofs, shingles, siding and gutters as well as snap or topple trees. There is also a threat of damage to power lines and power outages.
But remember: Officials in Louisiana are most concerned about the heavy rain the storm will bring. The state is bracing for storm surges and major floods especially along the Mississippi river.
New Orleans resident worried about the storm: "Katrina left a lot of trauma behind"
One woman who lives in New Orleans said the possibility of another disaster is traumatic and stressful for people who lived through Hurricane Katrina.
Tanya Gulliver-Garcia, who lives in New Orleans' Broadmoor neighborhood, told CNN:
“My biggest concern though is for my friends and neighbors, especially those who lived through Katrina. This storm is stressing them out. Trauma stays in your body and Katrina left a lot of trauma behind. I'm also concerned for those who don't have the means to evacuate. Their choices were and are much more limited than mine. I have a network of folks across the country who would take me in at a moment's notice and the ability to get there. Many people in this community don't have that luxury,” she said.
She said she felt like the mayor was in a tough spot.
“Evacuations take several days to work well and there really wasn't that much time. That was an issue during Katrina when Mayor Nagin declared the evacuation too late and chaos and crowded conditions on roads ensued," Gulliver-Garcia said.
But, she continued saying the mayor wasn't above the impact of flooding.
"She lives only a few blocks from me in Broadmoor. We're one of the lowest areas of the city,” Gulliver-Garcia said.
How she is prepping:
Gulliver-Garcia said she is planning on taking what she calls a "hurrication." She previously planned a to New York City, with flights scheduled to leave Friday night. But, she said she still is preparing for uncertainty and stocked up on food, gas and water in case her vacation falls through.
“My concerns are getting out for the vacation and then what I'll be coming home to," she said. "I’m going to move some valuable papers and all my prescriptions to a friend's third floor apartment in Metairie. I’m taking 12 days of prescriptions with me personally for a five day trip in case coming home is an issue. I’m moving my car to the same friend's apartment complex since it's much higher ground.”
At least 3,000 National Guard members sent to Louisiana
The governor of Louisiana said there are 3,000 National Guard members and 300 buses across the state in preparation for Tropical Storm Barry.
Governor John Bel Edwards told CNN Friday morning President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for the state, giving them access to more resources.
"Heed the warnings," Edwards said, pointing out that fatalities often happen when motorists try to drive through floodwater.
"It's deeper than they believe it to be, and also there's current that sometimes is imperceptible," he said. "We need individuals to not drive through standing water."
Watch the full interview:
Flood gates, sandbags and window boards: How Louisiana is bracing for Barry
New Orleans is getting ready for the rain and flooding forecasted to come with Tropical Storm Barry this weekend.
The city closed the flood gate at 1489 Intracostal Drive Thursday night.
Residents are also taking measures to try to minimize damage from flood waters by boarding up store fronts and setting up storm barriers.
The mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, did not issue evacuations. Instead, she told residents to shelter in place.
But, some places in Louisiana did tell their residents to get out.
Here are the parishes that have issued evacuations:
- Lafourche
- Jefferson
- Plaquemines
- St. Charles
- St. John the Baptist
- Terrebonne
CORRECTION: Parts of St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and Terrebonne are under voluntary evacuation orders. A previous version of this post stated they were under mandatory evacuation orders.
Louisiana and New Orleans are beginning to feel effects of Tropical Storm Barry
Tropical Storm Barry will make landfall tomorrow but Louisianans are feeling its effects already.
Feeder bands are moving onshore as the storm churns and strengthens in the Gulf of Mexico. Some of the bands will bring tropical storm force winds, along with heavy rain, and possible flooding.
They also carry a threat of spawning an isolated tornado.
What Tropical Storm Barry looks like from space this morning
Tropical Storm Barry is big.
The photo below is a NOAA satellite image taken this morning shortly after sunrise. It's clear in the imagery that the storm is taking up a substantial portion of the Gulf of Mexico.
![[Photos] Curious Animals Approach Unsuspecting Cameramen](https://images.outbrainimg.com/transform/v3/eyJpdSI6IjcxZGE2ODdlMzk3YWIxNDdiYjY4NGQ0OGE1ODlhNzk0OWZjZDNjNTljNjhiMzFjMGMyYTdhMGNkYjYyZmQzN2QiLCJ3IjoyMjUsImgiOjExMCwiZCI6MS41LCJjcyI6MCwiZiI6NH0.webp "[Photos] Curious Animals Approach Unsuspecting Cameramen")
This checklist will help you prepare as Barry approaches
If you're in Barry's path don't panic. There are many steps you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property.
Here's a checklist to help you get started, with tips from the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Hurricane Center.
Read more about what to do when a storm approaches, including a list of what supplies to stock up on, here.
Here's the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center just released its 8 a.m. ET advisory for Tropical Storm Barry.
The storm is still in the Gulf of Mexico. It's expected to travel northward and make landfall in Louisiana early tomorrow.
Hurricane warnings and tropical storm warnings have been issued on much of Louisiana's coast. A tropical storm watch extends into parts of Mississippi and Alabama.
Here's the latest:
It's not just Louisiana: Much of the Gulf Coast could see extreme rain
Flooding concerns are not just limited to Louisiana and have expanded around the Gulf region.
Mississippi, Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle are also at risk for extreme rain, CNN meteorologist Haley Brink said Thursday.
The National Weather Service tweeted early Friday morning that Mobile, Alabama, can expect heavy rain that may lead to flash flooding as well as a high risk of rip currents and a surf up to 8 feet.
1am (07/12) TS #Barry Update: Little change in strength as it crawls westward.
Water continues to be greatest threat for our area:
heavy rain (4-7 inches) may lead to flash flooding,
high risk of #ripcurrents,
high surf (5-8 feet)
See NWS Mobile's other Tweets
The Florida Panhandle has seen double red flags go up in some areas, closing beaches, the National Weather Service said.
In addition to potential heavy rains in Louisiana, the Mississippi Delta Region is also at risk for tornadoes beginning Friday evening.
These are the areas that are currently under storm surge watches and warnings:
Parts of Louisiana could see more than 20 inches of rain
Tropical Storm Barry could strengthen into a hurricane before it makes landfall. But the real threat the storm poses is rain — which could quickly turn into unprecedented flooding.
Right now, parts of Mississippi and Louisiana are forecast to see between 10 and 20 inches of rain through Wednesday.
And some areas of Louisiana could get more than 20 inches.
Here's a look at the latest rainfall forecast:
How Louisiana is preparing for the storm
President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency for Louisiana, where the storm is expected to make landfall.
Louisiana has activated 3,000 members of the National Guard in anticipation of the destruction Barry might bring to the region, the governor said.
Officials expect to issue a mandatory evacuation order Friday for everyone south of the Leon Theriot Flood Gate.
And government officials are not the only ones responding to the disaster. Chef José Andrés' nonprofit World Central Kitchen announced Thursday it is setting up kitchens in Lafayette and New Orleans ahead of the storm.
The Gulf Coast is bracing for Tropical Storm Barry
Louisiana has withstood devastating hurricanes before, but authorities are urging residents not to underestimate the danger and destruction Tropical Storm Barry threatens as it gets closer to the coast Friday.
"Look, there are three ways that Louisiana floods: storm surge, high rivers, and rain. We're going to have all three," Gov. John Bel Edwards said.
Barry is moving through the Gulf of Mexico and is the first tropical storm to threaten the United States this year. While there is a chance it could reach hurricane level, the real threat the storm poses is rain — which could quickly turn into unprecedented flooding.
It's moving slowly through the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, giving it time to strengthen, and it's expected to release large amounts of rain on the roughly 10 million people in its path.
The Mississippi River, which is usually at 6 to 8 feet around New Orleans this time of year, is at 16 feet after a year of record flooding. And 10-15 more inches of rain are on the way, CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam said.
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