New Orleans prepares for Tropical Storm Arthur
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A DIY sandbag station in Gentilly last year. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios
New Orleans is handing out sandbags, staffing drainage pumps and canceling events ahead of Tropical Storm Arthur.
Why it matters: The season's first named storm is expected to bring heavy rain and flash flooding to southeast Louisiana through Saturday morning.
The big picture: Tropical Storm Arthur formed Wednesday in the Gulf and is expected to make landfall overnight near the Texas-Louisiana state line. See the latest track.
- Heavy rain is the biggest threat from this system, with up to 20 inches forecast in some spots, the National Hurricane Center says.
- The storm could bring life-threatening flash flooding to portions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
- A tropical storm warning is in effect for portions of south Louisiana.
Threat level: The worst of the rain is expected to miss the New Orleans area, but Mayor Helena Moreno says the city is prepared "in case that scenario changes."
- South Louisiana will likely get 3 to 6 inches through Saturday morning, with 10 inches possible in some spots, the National Weather Service says.
By the numbers: Some of Arthur's rain bands could have rainfall rates up to 5 inches per hour, enough to overwhelm the region's drainage systems.
- 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.
Zoom in: New Orleans opened several DIY sandbag stations Wednesday, and NOPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick says officers are moving response boats across the city.
- Crews in Orleans and Jefferson parishes are cleaning catch basins, and officials say pump stations will be manned until the threat passes.
- See the pump status for New Orleans.
What's next: Residents should clean their catch basins ahead of the rain.
- Once the storms get here, drivers should stay off the roads, officials say.
- City leaders are also asking residents to call 311 to report traffic signals that are flashing in the rain. Officials say they've fixed about half of the lights with water-intrusion problems and are trying to identify the rest.