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Storm may push Mississippi River to tops of levees that protect New Orleans Expected hurricane poses biggest test for New Orleans levees since Katrina
(about 3 hours later)
A tropical weather system was expected on 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. A tropical weather system in the Gulf of Mexico is now expected to develop into a category 1 hurricane before spinning over the Louisiana coast. Experts are warning that the resulting storm surge could push the already swollen Mississippi River precariously close to the tops of levees that protect New Orleans – in what could be their greatest test since the catastrophic failure during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The low pressure area was over water, south of the Florida Panhandle early on Wednesday and was expected to strengthen into a storm as it moved west through the Gulf’s warm waters. The latest dire forecasts come as the city was already reeling from flash flooding on Wednesday morning. Garbage containers tilted on their sides and pieces of wood floated down rain-swollen streets in a number of neighborhoods.
Water was up to the doors of many cars during the morning rush hour and a waterspout over Lake Pontchartrain was also spotted in the Gentilly neighborhood.
The mornings storms were associated with the broader area of disturbed weather over the gulf which forecasters now believe will organize and strengthen into a named storm – Barry – as it moved west through the Gulf’s warm waters.
‘Unprecedented’ US flood season will imperil 200m people, experts warn‘Unprecedented’ US flood season will imperil 200m people, experts warn
Forecasters say parts of Louisiana could see up to 12in (30.5cm) of rain by Monday, with heavier amounts possible in some spots.Forecasters say parts of Louisiana could see up to 12in (30.5cm) of rain by Monday, with heavier amounts possible in some spots.
Mississippi and Texas were also at risk of torrential rains.Mississippi and Texas were also at risk of torrential rains.
The National Weather Service said New Orleans is protected to a river level of 20ft (6.1 meters) , but it was forecast to rise above flood stage to 19ft by Friday. That would mark the highest river level at New Orleans in nearly 70 years, and some experts argue, constitutes the city’s greatest test since the catastrophic flooding of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The National Weather Service said New Orleans is protected to a river level of 20ft (6.1 meters), the same level that it is now forecasting the river to reach by Friday. That would mark the highest river level at New Orleans in nearly 70 years.
The river levels in Louisiana have been high for months due to flooding further upriver in the midwest. The army corps of engineers have been using spillways to divert the river’s flow since May.
This would be the highest crest on the Mississippi River at New Orleans since 1950.Arguably, this is the city’s biggest test since Katrina. River levees are only built to 20ft, and have not been tested in this way in decades — if ever. This is a deadly serious situation. https://t.co/0VZwwdWFOfThis would be the highest crest on the Mississippi River at New Orleans since 1950.Arguably, this is the city’s biggest test since Katrina. River levees are only built to 20ft, and have not been tested in this way in decades — if ever. This is a deadly serious situation. https://t.co/0VZwwdWFOf
Though much of the heaviest rain isn’t expected until the weekend, the broad area of disturbed weather in the Gulf was already producing strong thunderstorms over Louisiana on Wednesday. Those storms prompted tornado and flash flood warnings on Wednesday morning in the New Orleans area. The weather service said up to 3in of rain had fallen in the area. By mid-morning city officials urged residents off the roads, citing “widespread street flooding”, with much more rain forecast to fall. A waterspout over Lake Pontchartrain was also spotted in the Gentilly neighborhood. Though much of the heaviest rain is not expected until the weekend, by mid-morning as much as 7in of rain had fallen over the metropolitan area. City officials urged residents off the roads, citing “widespread street flooding”, and had suspended all bus and streetcar services. Always at issue in the city, which mostly sits below sea-level, was the status of the 120 pumps used to push rainwater out of the streets. Officials said 118 are online, and that they were “all hands on deck” and “continuing to work this event”.
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New OrleansNew Orleans
LouisianaLouisiana
MississippiMississippi
TexasTexas
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