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Flooded New Orleans braces for possible hurricane Flooded New Orleans braces for possible hurricane
(32 minutes later)
A slow-moving storm is forming into a likely hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, and is forecast to hit the already-flooded US city of New Orleans.A slow-moving storm is forming into a likely hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, and is forecast to hit the already-flooded US city of New Orleans.
The storm, which is currently classified as a tropical disturbance, has already brought thunderstorms to the city, triggering flash floods. The storm, which is currently classified as a tropical storm, has already brought thunderstorms to the city, triggering flash floods.
A state of emergency is in effect and residents in some low-lying areas have been asked to evacuate.A state of emergency is in effect and residents in some low-lying areas have been asked to evacuate.
The river may come dangerously close to overtopping levees shielding the city.The river may come dangerously close to overtopping levees shielding the city.
The Mississippi River may rise as high as 20ft (6m) above sea level, officials warn, potentially exceeding the 20-25ft levees protecting New Orleans.The Mississippi River may rise as high as 20ft (6m) above sea level, officials warn, potentially exceeding the 20-25ft levees protecting New Orleans.
"We're confident the levees themselves are in good shape. The big focus is height," Ricky Boyett, a spokesman for the US Army Corps of Engineers, which maintains the fortifications, told the AP."We're confident the levees themselves are in good shape. The big focus is height," Ricky Boyett, a spokesman for the US Army Corps of Engineers, which maintains the fortifications, told the AP.
Flash floodingFlash flooding
On Wednesday morning, the New Orleans metro area was hit by as much as eight inches of rain over a three hour period.On Wednesday morning, the New Orleans metro area was hit by as much as eight inches of rain over a three hour period.
Swamped streets saw rubbish bins overturned and vehicles flooded. Some parts of the city saw streets turn into lakes as deep as four feet. Kayakers were seen paddling on roadways.Swamped streets saw rubbish bins overturned and vehicles flooded. Some parts of the city saw streets turn into lakes as deep as four feet. Kayakers were seen paddling on roadways.
The National Hurricane Center said on Thursday morning that the storm was 115 miles south-east of the mouth of the Mississippi River, with maximum sustained winds of 35mph. The National Hurricane Center said on Thursday morning that the storm was 95 miles south-east of the mouth of the Mississippi River, with maximum sustained windspeeds of 40mph (64 km/hr).
The storm will be named Barry when it becomes a tropical storm with winds of 39mph (56 km/hr) according to the Saffir-Simpson hurricane grading system. The tropical storm has been given the name Barry by US weather forecasters.
At winds of 74mph it will be declared a hurricane, as it is forecast to become before making landfall in the delta of the Mississippi River on Friday.At winds of 74mph it will be declared a hurricane, as it is forecast to become before making landfall in the delta of the Mississippi River on Friday.
The storm is predicted to drop 10-15 inches of rain on Friday and Saturday along the Louisiana coast and parts of Texas.The storm is predicted to drop 10-15 inches of rain on Friday and Saturday along the Louisiana coast and parts of Texas.
Residents have been warned to stock up on drinking water and non-perishable food, as well as other emergency supplies.Residents have been warned to stock up on drinking water and non-perishable food, as well as other emergency supplies.
Plaquemines Parish, south of New Orleans, has ordered residents to evacuate. Vermilion Parish, to the west of the city, has asked some people living in low-lying areas to consider moving to higher ground.Plaquemines Parish, south of New Orleans, has ordered residents to evacuate. Vermilion Parish, to the west of the city, has asked some people living in low-lying areas to consider moving to higher ground.