Jan Wesner Childs
Communities from Louisiana to Florida are bracing for heavy rainfall and other possible impacts from a potential tropical storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency ahead of the weather that's expected to start hitting his state later today.
"It is important to stay weather aware as these storms approach the coast," Edwards said in a news release.
If the system develops into a named storm it will be called Claudette. But either way, flooding, dangerous rip currents and windy conditions are forecast for the Gulf Coast into Father's Day weekend, according to weather.com meteorologists. Some areas could see up to a foot of rainfall. There's also a chance of tornadoes.
Tropical storm warnings have been issued from east of Morgan City, Louisiana, into the Florida Panhandle. The warnings include New Orleans and Mobile.
(FORECAST: The Latest on Tropical Development in the Gulf of Mexico)
The city of New Orleans activated its emergency operations center ahead of the storm. City crews were working extended hours to clear debris from catch basins in flood-prone areas. Residents were also asked to clear debris from their properties.
Oil companies including Chevron and Occidental began evacuating some employees from platforms in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, Marine Link reported.
The Louisiana State Fire Marshal reminded people to practice proper safety procedures when using generators during power outages. Several people died in both Louisiana and Texas following hurricanes and other storms that hit the region last year.
Some 90,000 sandbags have been sent to coastal areas in Mississippi, according to the state's emergency management agency.
Sandbag stations were open in several cities, including Gulfport.
(MORE: Grand Isle, Louisiana, Keeps Wary Eye on Potential Tropical Storm)
Double red flags are flying at beaches in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Orange Beach, Alabama, meaning the waters are closed to swimmers. Officials in both cities warned of life-threatening rip currents and surf.
The storm could also pose an inland threat as it moves across parts of the Deep South, including in Atlanta.
While the storm would be the third one named in the Atlantic this year if it strengthens, it's the first to threaten land in the U.S. Eleven named storms made landfall in the U.S. during the historic 2020 hurricane season, and forecasters predict another above-average season for 2021.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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