This product covers Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi ...DISTURBANCE A LITTLE BETTER ORGANIZED AND WILL LIKELY BE A TROPICAL OR SUBTROPICAL STORM LATER TODAY... NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Lower Jefferson, Lower Plaquemines, and Lower St. Bernard * STORM INFORMATION: - About 420 miles south-southwest of New Orleans LA or about 370 miles south-southwest of Grand Isle LA - 24.3N 92.5W - Storm Intensity 40 mph - Movement Northeast or 45 degrees at 14 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ OVERVIEW... At 4:00 AM CDT, Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen will move northeast across the western Gulf of Mexico toward the north central gulf through today. Maximum sustained winds along the coastal sections of southeast Louisiana this afternoon and evening are expected to range from 25-40 mph with gusts of 40 to 55 mph. Heavy rainfall will also be possible across extreme southeast Louisiana and eastern coastal Mississippi with rainfall totals forecast between 1 and 2 inches, with higher amounts of 3 inches possible. A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect with inundation of 1 to 2 feet expected at the time of high tide on this morning and Saturday mornings. Prepare now for damaging winds, minor coastal flooding, and heavy rainfall across locations in the Tropical Storm areas. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across extreme southeast Louisiana coastal areas. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across coastal southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across extreme eastern coastal sections of southeast Louisiana and eastern coastal Mississippi. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. Elsewhere across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in New Orleans LA around 1030 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.