Updated Jun 8, 2020 - Science

Tropical Depression Cristobal: Flooding threat to Louisiana communities

"Multiple pumps have been placed and are now operational in Grand Isle, as crews battle surge and flooding impacts" from Tropical Storm Cristobal, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority reports. Photo: Louisiana CPRA/Twitter.

Cristobal weakened to a tropical depression as the center of the storm moved inland on Monday morning. But the National Hurricane Center warns there remains a "life-threatening storm surge" danger for parts of Mississippi and Louisiana.

What's happening: A flood-watch was in effect for Louisiana amid heavy rain forecast by the National Weather Service, as the storm moved 40 miles north of Baton Rouge, packing maximum sustained winds of 35mph on Monday morning.

The big picture: Per KATC, Louisiana authorities issued evacuation orders for several parishes ahead of Cristobal making landfall as a tropical storm on Sunday afternoon, packing sustained winds of 50 mph.

Background: Per the NHC, Cristobal formed last Wednesday off the southeast coast of Mexico.

  • The storm weakened to a tropical depression over Gulf coastal land in Mexico last Thursday morning.
  • It strengthened into a tropical storm again as it moved over the southern Gulf of Mexico from the Yucatan Peninsula on Friday.
  • Cristobal's system spawned at least one tornado in Orlando, Florida, where an EF-1 rated twister struck on Saturday with winds of over 100 mph.

Go deeper: FEMA braces for COVID-infected hurricane season

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Photo: Jan Woitas/picture alliance via Getty Images

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