A tropical storm could form in the Gulf this week, marking the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Why it matters: The system could bring up to 10 inches of rain to Southeast Louisiana, regardless of further development, the National Weather Service warns.

The big picture: The low-pressure system could develop into a "short-lived" tropical storm Wednesday into Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said yesterday.

• If so, it will be named Arthur.
• Residents here should prepare for periods of intense rain over the next several days, says Mike Buchanan, the meteorologist in charge of the NWS office in Slidell.
• Flash flooding is likely.
• Tropical storm watches or warnings could be required today in Texas and southwest Louisiana, NHC says.

What he's saying: "It's not going to blast on through" New Orleans, Buchanan tells us.

• There's a "very moist" air mass that's stalled over the region, so residents should expect a very wet and stormy week, he says.

Threat level: South Louisiana is under a flood watch through 7am Friday.

• Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are expected through Friday morning, with "considerably higher" amounts in isolated areas, NWS says.
• Rainfall rates could exceed 3 to 4 inches per hour.
• Pumps in Orleans and Jefferson parishes generally can handle 1 inch of rain in the first hour and then a half-inch per hour after that.

Latest forecast

The massive termite fumigation tent at the former St. Elizabeth's Orphanage is turning heads Uptown.

Why it matters: It takes a lot of tarps to cover an entire city block.

The big picture: New Orleans photographer Paul Morse posted drone photos that show the complex wrapped in red, white and bluish-black stripes.

• We reached out to several pest control companies about the job, but so far, no one has claimed it.

Flashback: The orphanage on Napoleon Avenue was converted into condos in the early 2000s, according to a real estate listing.

• Before that, vampire novelist Anne Rice owned the massive Uptown property and became closely associated with the landmark.
• See photos of the chapel, which was turned into a 5,000-square-foot condo.

The bottom line: In a city where termites are a fact of life, even landmarks aren't immune.

More photos

Louisiana heads to the polls this week for early voting in the state's new closed-party primary system.

Why it matters: These runoffs will determine who will be the Democratic and Republican candidates for U.S. Senate, Public Service Commission and other state and local offices.

The big picture: Early voting ends Saturday. Under the new system, you need to be a registered Republican or Democrat to vote in the primaries.

• If you are a "no party" voter and you cast a ballot in last month's primary, you must stick with the same party for the runoff.
• If you didn't vote in the primary, you can fill out a declaration at the poll and pick a party.
• Election Day is June 27. The winners will face off in November in the general election.

The Republicans: Incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy lost his reelection bid in the primary.

• The race is down to Rep. Julia Letlow, whom President Trump endorsed, and state Treasurer John Fleming.
• Letlow got 45% of the primary vote, while Fleming got 28%, according to results from the secretary of state.
• Republicans also have runoffs for the Public Service Commission and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Democrats: Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett are facing off to be the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.

• Davis got 47% of the primary vote last month, while Crockett got 26%.

Zoom out: Louisiana rescheduled its U.S. House elections after Gov. Jeff Landry paused the previous cycle to redraw the state's congressional map.

• The candidates will meet in a jungle primary Nov. 3, the same day as the state's general election.

What's next: Check your sample ballot.

🎢 The Six Flags redevelopment project has had another setback. This time, it's a lease dispute between the public agency that owns the site and the Bayou Phoenix developers. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)

• ICYMI: The developers say they need at least $50 million in public money to transform the blighted property into a regional destination for youth sports, entertainment and shopping. (Axios)

💰 Some Richland Parish teachers are getting bonuses of more than $50,000 due to increased tax revenue from Meta's data center construction. (Wall Street Journal gift link)

⚽️ Jameis Winston, our former QB who now is with the NY Giants, helped Japanese fans clean the stadium after their World Cup match. (Facebook and ESPN)

🌀 FEMA has "sufficient resources" to respond to emergencies this hurricane season, the group's interim director said during a visit last week to New Orleans. (Fox 8)

🇺🇸 Jefferson Parish put on quite a drone show for its America 250 celebration. The pelican was fun. (Video)

📺 WWL anchor Brheanna Boudreaux is leaving New Orleans for a job in Houston. (Instagram)

🐔 Chick-fil-A is now open in Gretna. (Instagram)