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 drench south Louisiana through Saturday morning.

• See the latest track.

The big picture: Heavy rain is the biggest threat from this system.

• The worst of the storm is expected to miss New Orleans, 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 yesterday, and NOPD moved 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 flash in the rain. Officials say they've fixed about half the lights with water-intrusion problems and are trying to identify the rest.

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New Orleans has several events this week in honor of Juneteenth, the federal holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S.

If you go: Check for weather changes before you head out.

👟 Freedom Ball: Rich Family Ministries hosts its annual ball tonight at the Jazz Museum.

🎺 Juneteenth Second Line: Starts at noon tomorrow at St. Philip and Rampart with the New Orleans Baby Dolls, Free Spirit Stilt Walkers and more.

🎉 New Orleans Juneteenth Festival: Dawn Richard, Flagboy Giz and more headline this event at Congo Square tomorrow.

🤩 Bayou Road Juneteenth Block Party: Kids' events, farmers market and more on Saturday.

🧠 Juneteenth Blueprint to Freedom Economic Summit: Panel discussion at 11am Saturday to talk about business models that can be catalysts for practical change in Louisiana.

🥳 Juneteenth Freedom Gala: Reflects on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence while exploring themes of self-emancipation.

🍹 Freedom Float: Dew Drop Inn hosts a pool party Sunday.

Other things to do:

🥃 Father's Day: Several restaurants have special brunches Sunday to celebrate Dad.

☀️ Summer solstice celebration: The Coven of the Thorn Rose leads this year's ritual Sunday at Crescent City Conjure.

🌈 Chromatica: More than 50 belly dancers gather for a Pride-themed show at Cafe Istanbul.

⚔️ Mini Renaissance Fest: Urban South has medieval games, miniature farm animals and turkey legs Saturday.

🦄 Sequin alert: Fringe + Co. has its anniversary sale Saturday, a rare opportunity to shop its warehouse in person.

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🍳 Wakin' Bakin' is closing its Mid-City location after 15 years. The French Quarter location is staying open. (Facebook)

• Las Cruces in Metairie also is closing. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)
• They join LUFU's Decatur Street spot and at least eight other restaurants that have called it quits this summer.

👨‍🍳 E.J. Lagasse, Emeril's son who runs the South's first two-star Michelin restaurant, is dubbed "America's most talented nepo baby" in a new profile from New Orleans writer Brett Martin. (GQ)

🗳️ Early voting ends Saturday for the closed-party primary runoffs. See our voter guide.

Mystikal, the rapper known for early 2000s hits like "Shake It Fast," was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 2022 rape. (AP)

🎉 LSU AgCenter horticulturist Joe Willis recently won the National Garden Club's Award of Excellence. He's the first Louisianan to win the group's highest honor. (Press release)

🚧 New projects:

• Jefferson Parish officials broke ground this week on a $4.4 million project that will become the new home of August Moon restaurant and Hoang Law Firm.
• LCMC's New Orleans East Hospital broke ground on an inpatient behavioral health unit. (Biz New Orleans)
• Entergy is replacing 500 utility poles along Veterans Boulevard. It's also replacing or reinforcing 640 poles in St. Bernard Parish.
• Nearly 700 light poles along the Westbank Expressway are getting new LED bulbs in a $1.7 million project. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)

👋 Chelsea here. Yes, really! I clocked back in at Axios yesterday after about four months of parental leave.

I spent that time healing and getting to know my new daughter.

• I also celebrated my oldest's third birthday, watched the "America's Next Top Model" documentary, read 24 books, took the baby to a Roman wedding, visited my sister and kept up with New Orleans' chaos from Carlie's hard work on the newsletter.

🙃 Yes, but: I averaged around 100 missed emails a day, so if you sent a note ... maybe send it again?

Go deeper: Why parental leave matters

There's a new light sculpture at the Audubon Aquarium entrance.

Why it matters: The piece, "ChamäleTuna" by artist Ilya Sobol, is interactive.

• It changes colors based on what approaching viewers are wearing. Cool!

The big picture: The sculpture is the latest part of Audubon's massive riverfront overhaul.