NORTH CAROLINA -- The second named storm of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season formed late Thursday morning. Tropical Storm Barry developed about 100 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River.
It is forecast to remain just off the Gulf Coast through Saturday morning where it will likely strengthen. The National Hurricane Center forecast Barry to become a category 1 hurricane with 75mph winds just before making landfall along the Louisiana coast Saturday.
Over the next several days parts of Louisiana and Mississippi could see an additional 10 to 15 inches of rain with localized higher amounts. Parts of the city of New Orleans measured between six and nine inches of rain Wednesday.
In addition to flooding rains, there is great concern about flooding due to storm surge. The Mississippi River through New Orleans is already higher than its normal level in July partly due to spring flooding up river. Storm surge is forecast to push the river to a level of 19 to 20 feet. That would bring the river close to the top of some levees.
Stay tuned to Spectrum News for the latest on Barry.