Tropical Storm Barry Threatens Gulf Coast with Heavy Rain, Flooding and Storm Surge

Tropical Storm Barry continues to spin in the Gulf of Mexico just off the coast of Louisiana Friday evening with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and a central pressure of 993mb.  Barry is moving very slowly to west/northwest around 6 mph.  Hurricane Warnings have been issued for the shores of Louisiana, as well Storm Surge Warnings, Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings in Mississippi and further inland. 

Barry *could strength to a Category One Hurricane within the next 12-24 hours but is forecast to make landfall as a Tropical Storm Saturday afternoon.  While strengthening has been observed over the last 24 hours, there is still some wind shear and dry air that may keep it holding on to Tropical Storm strength.  Wind will be a threat with this storm but extreme rainfall, flooding and storm surge will be the greatest concerns through the weekend.  Locally up to 15 to 20 inches of rain could fall through Sunday night impacting already swollen rivers and flooded neighborhoods from previous rainfall. 

The storm will weaken once it makes landfall but will continue to pull moisture north with it early next week.  Some of the rain could make it as far north as the Stateline Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, but the majority will remain south.


For the latest information and forecast discussions from the National Hurricane Center regarding Tropical Storm Barry, click on the National Hurricane Center's website.