By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist and staff writer
By Adriana Navarro, AccuWeather staff writer
Tropical Storm Barry made its final approach on the Gulf Coast Friday night as residents scrambled to make last-minute preparations before landfall. Residents in the region who weren't put under voluntary evacuation were told to shelter in place.
"This is going to be a significant weather event," Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards cautioned in a post on Twitter, "and if you haven’t already done so, the time to prepare is NOW." At a press conference on Friday, Edwards vowed the state was ready for impact and levees in New Orleans should withstand the floodwaters.
"The levees are stronger than they’ve ever been," Edwards told reporters. "The system is tighter than its ever been. Our state is better prepared.”
Voluntary evacuations have been issued across New Orleans for areas that are not protected by the levees. People that plan to evacuate should act fast and leave before the rain begins.
Crescent City Steaks Chef Frank Turner, left, and dishwasher Keith Brooks screw in storm protecters over the windows before landfall of Tropical Storm Barry from the Gulf of Mexico in New Orleans, La., Friday, July 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Louisiana has declared a state of emergency in advance of Barry's arrival as residents and crews work to brace the city for impact. Residents have been told to shelter in place by 8 p.m. CDT Friday.
Every flood gate has been closed along Lake Pontchartrain due to the anticipated flooding. The city of New Orleans is not offering any sandbags, but businesses are residents have stepped up to provide sandbags for people in town. AccuWeather National Reporter Jonathan Petramala captured video of dozens of resident pitching in to fill up sandbags in preparation for Barry.
Not only have flights been delayed in New Orleans, but so has this weekend's Rolling Stones concert. Mick Jagger and the rest of the Rolling Stones were set to perform in the Superdome on Sunday, but the concert has been moved to Monday due to Barry. The date of the concert could potentially change again due to the lingering impacts from Barry.
Barry will continue to strengthen leading up to landfall on Friday night or early Saturday morning, when it is forecast to be a Category 1 hurricane. However, people should not focus on the storm's wind speed, but instead be wary of the rain it will unleash across the region.
"Our greatest concern is for torrential rain that would result in life-threatening flooding," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said. "AccuWeather meteorologists expect a maximum storm surge of 3-6 feet mostly along and just to the right of the storm's path."
Storm surge began to inundate the coast of Louisiana on Friday morning as Barry gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico. AccuWeather Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer reported from just outside of Chauvin, Louisiana, about an hour south of New Orleans.
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Additional reporting by AccuWeather Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer and National News Reporter Jonathan Petramala.
10 p.m. CDT Friday: Curfews will be going into effect now for Terrebonne Parish, the City of Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish and other communities. Please stay off the roads and take shelter for your safety and the safety of emergency personnel.
Barry continues to crawl at 3 mph for the Louisiana coastline as a tropical storm, hindered by dry air. When maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or greater are detected, the storm will be classified as a hurricane. But for now, the maximum sustained winds sit at 65 mph.
We are closely monitoring #TSBarry Resident safety is our top priority. @NOLAready reports gusty winds and light rains moving through the city now. Heavy rain will fall later tonight and tomorrow. Remember do not drive through flooded waters or move barricades for your safety.
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8 p.m. CDT Friday: New Orleans is now under a shelter-in-place order, and the Regional Transit Authority services are suspended in preparation for Tropical Storm Barry.
Curfews will be going into effect soon for Terrebonne Parish, the City of Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish and other communities at 10 p.m. CDT.
7 p.m. CDT Friday: Southwest Airlines has joined the list of airlines that has canceled flights in and out of New Orleans for Saturday, July 13. Cancellations and delays at the airport could continue through the weekend and into the start of next week due to Barry. The complete list of travel advisories at the New Orleans airport can be found here.
The FAA has also issued a NOTAM for drone pilots across much of southern Louisiana and Mississippi through Sunday, July 14. "Avoid flying in the area unless conducting an active disaster response or recovery mission," the FAA said on their website.
3:20 p.m. CDT Friday: Although the center of Barry and the storm’s heaviest rain is still over the Gulf of Mexico, some roads near the coast of Louisiana are already impassible due to flooding storm surge.
The City of New Orleans has called for voluntary evacuations for people living outside of areas protected by the levees. Those that do plan on evacuating should do so in the next few hours. Once the heavy, flooding rain starts, it will be too late to evacuate.
UPDATE: storm surge now making many roads south of Hwy 665 impassable including Island Rd in Terrebonne Parish, LA well ahead of Tropical Storm #Barry @breakingweather @accuweather
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The Rolling Stones have officially postponed this weekend’s concert in New Orleans' Mercedes-Benz Superdome from Sunday to Monday due to Barry. There is the potential for the date to get moved again due to the lingering effects of Barry.
1 p.m. CDT: Residents and visitors in New Orleans only have a few more hours to make their final preparations ahead of Barry's arrival. Officials have announced that everyone in the city needs to start sheltering in place by 8 p.m. CDT Friday.
Grocery stores in New Orleans are sold out of items such as food and bread as people flock to the stores to stock up ahead of Barry and the flooding that will linger in the wake of the storm.
Some flights scheduled at New Orleans Airport this weekend are already being canceled. Airlines are issuing travel advisories due to Barry. People planning to fly this weekend in and hour of the region should check with their airline before heading to the airport.
Airlines have begun issuing travel advisories for #TSBarry. Travelers may be able to change flights if travel is planned during this weather event. Links to airline travel advisories can be found at flymsy.com/traveladvisori….
See New Orleans Airport's other Tweets
Louisiana has declared a state of emergency in advance of Barry's arrival as residents and crews work to brace the city for impact. Residents have been told to shelter in place by 8 p.m. CDT Friday.
Barry will
Dangerous seas, rip currents to threaten areas hundreds of miles away from Barry
Slow-moving Tropical Storm Barry churns toward landfall
Gas prices could 'spike' as a result of Tropical Storm Barry
What the ‘big, big lessons’ learned from Hurricane Katrina mean now for New Orleans as Barry closes in
We are closely monitoring #TSBarry Resident safety is our top priority. @NOLAready reports gusty winds and light rains moving through the city now. Heavy rain will fall later tonight and tomorrow. Remember do not drive through flooded waters or move barricades for your safety.
31 people are talking about this
UPDATE: storm surge now making many roads south of Hwy 665 impassable including Island Rd in Terrebonne Parish, LA well ahead of Tropical Storm #Barry @breakingweather @accuweather
358 people are talking about this
Airlines have begun issuing travel advisories for #TSBarry. Travelers may be able to change flights if travel is planned during this weather event. Links to airline travel advisories can be found at flymsy.com/traveladvisori….
See New Orleans Airport's other Tweets
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