Tonight’s parades have been canceled as high winds associated with a cold front were predicted to move into the area, the New Orleans Police Department announced Thursday afternoon.
The krewes of Babylon, Chaos, and Muses will be rescheduled to roll throughout the Carnival weekend as floats-only parades. Continue reading »
A CBD business keeps its sandbags on standby. (Danae Columbus, Uptown Messenger)
Every time it rains hard, I worry that my home might be flooding again. I was in Mid-City on Saturday when the rain began, and I quickly headed back downtown. Along the way, standing water overflowed every intersection, even after I reached the CBD – which until recently had always been a pretty dry area. As I finally approached home I could see a dutiful neighbor standing in knee deep water in an effort to slow down the wake from passing vehicles.
Just that morning, I had carefully swept away all the remaining dirt and debris from the previous week’s flooding. Now I needed to repeat the process after I cleaned up inside. What I particularly don’t like about floodwaters is that they contain harmful bacteria that can make even healthy people sick. Continue reading »
The rain from Tropical Storm Barry calmed down enough on Sunday for some residents to resume daily activities, like this cyclist on Constance Street. (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
Tropical Storm Barry continued to cause rain and sparse street flooding Uptown for the second day. On Sunday, however, many residents were out and about. Restaurants, bars and grocery stores opened and the city slowly came back to life.
People arrived Saturday to Rendezvous Tavern on Magazine for some drinks and camaraderie. (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
Tracy’s was one of many bars along Magazine street that remained open on Saturday. (Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com)
The car is on high ground, the porch furniture secured, the freezer emptied and the kitchen well stocked with water, whiskey, peanut butter and canned tuna. Then there was nothing to do but wait Saturday as Tropical Storm Barry came ashore as a Cat 1 but showed little interest in New Orleans.
Most of the businesses along Magazine Street heeded the warnings and sandbagged their closed doors. But bar owners knew their businesses were among the essential services out in full force as the city remained under a tropical storm warning. So Uptown residents tired of sheltering-in-place found a place to gather.
Now the tropical storm and the storm surge warnings have been canceled for the New Orleans area. A flash flood watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. tonight as tropical bands with heavy rain could continue to affect the area. But don’t worry — bars will be open.
A tree lies on its side Friday morning in Audubon Park as rain clouds fill the sky overhead. The city has responded to 47 tree emergencies related to Barry. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
As Barry made landfall today as a Category 1 and then weakened to a tropical storm, the mayor and other city officials told residents to stay the course because the worst may be yet to come.
A tropical storm warning remains in effect for New Orleans.
“To quote the Weather Service, this is just a really weird storm,” City Council President Helena Moreno said during a Saturday press conference. “But because of that, it could be building. Later tonight, we could feel a bigger impact. Don’t let your guard down yet.” Continue reading »
Hurricane Barry’s position, track and wind fields at 10 a.m. Orange is hurricane-strength winds, lime is winds of 58 mph or more, and pale green is 39 mph winds. (via National Hurricane Center)
Barry reached hurricane strength late Saturday morning with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, crawling northwest at 6 mph through southern Louisiana, the National Hurricane Center said in its 10 a.m. update. Continue reading »
The rain forecast for New Orleans was reduced slightly to about 6 inches. (National Hurricane Center)
Tropical Storm Barry was a “big swath of moisture” about 50 miles from Morgan City at 7 a.m. on Saturday, the National Hurricane Center reported as New Orleanians woke up to mostly calm skies. The slow-moving system was expected to come ashore as a Category 1 hurricane at mid-morning. Continue reading »
The rainfall prediction as of Friday at 4 p.m. showed about 10 inches for New Orleans. (National Hurricane Center)
From the Mayor’s Office
Beginning this evening — stay home. That’s what city officials have been telling New Orleanians as te city remains under a tropical storm warning and Tropical Storm Barry threatens to turn into a Category 1 hurricane.
“We are focusing on 8 p.m. this evening, asking people to stay at home and shelter in place,” Mayor Cantrell said. “Have commodities and supplies to last you an upward of 72 hours. We are continuing to monitor heavy rainfall, storm surge and levels of the Mississippi River.” Continue reading »
* DO NOT FORGET THE ICE *
Photo Credit: Chris Granger
No matter the crisis, New Orleanians never lose their sense of humor or their wry sense of irony; the world might end, but if possible, we plan to go out smiling.
Whether a Cat 3, Armageddon, the zombie apocalypse or New Orleans’ version of the same – a levee breach – locals know how to prepare. And until the bitter end, that preparation includes a box of chicken, a cocktail — and maybe a party. Continue reading »
A tree lays on its side Friday morning in Audubon Park as rain clouds fill the sky overhead. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Tropical Storm Barry continues to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center reported in its 10 a.m. update.
(National Hurricane Center)
Tropical Storm Barry churns in the Gulf. New Orleans can expect to feel Barry’s impact as early as Friday morning. (National Hurricane Center)
From the Mayor’s Office
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the New Orleans area. The city continues to prepare for Tropical Storm Barry, which is likely to impact the New Orleans area as early as Friday morning and through Sunday.
“Heed every single warning coming from the City of New Orleans. We have to be prepared for all impacts,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. “Gather your supplies, secure your property and make preparations to shelter in place.” Continue reading »
District A Councilman Joe Giarrusso issued these updates and reminders as Tropical Storm Barry approaches:
As we prepare for Barry’s landfall, my staff and I have been getting updates from city, state and federal officials. Here are some important details. Continue reading »
Tropical Storm Barry is expected to strengthen to a hurricane before coming ashore in Louisiana on Saturday. (image via National Hurricane Center)
The disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico has formed into Tropical Storm Barry and is expected to bring storm surge, heavy rainfall and wind hazards to the Louisiana coast over the next several days, the National Hurricane Center reported Thursday in its 10 a.m. update. The projected track has shifted to the east and includes New Orleans. Continue reading »
Mayor LaToya Cantrell today issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency due to the tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico.
The National Weather Service has indicated that Tropical Storm or Hurricane Barry will form in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of Tropical Invest 92L, and will likely produce heavy rainfall, flash flooding, coastal and river flooding, strong winds and the possibility of tornadoes, expected to arrive Thursday, July 11.
National Hurricane Center
Water from the flooded lagoon at Audubon Park surrounds a park bench early Wednesday afternoon following heavy rains in the morning. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Heavy rainfall Wednesday morning brought as much as eight inches of rain to the streets in three hours, city officials said, out pacing the city’s drainage system and causing flooding across many Uptown neighborhoods from Carrollton to the Lower Garden District. Continue reading »
