Tropical Storm Barry

By Meg Wagner, Paul P. Murphy, Elise Hammond and Veronica Rocha, CNN

Updated 4:41 a.m. ET, July 13, 2019
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4:41 a.m. ET, July 13, 2019

Here's what we know about Tropical Storm Barry

From CNN's Dakin Andone and Brandon Miller

Tropical Storm Barry is just off the Gulf Coast and gaining power.

We're wrapping up our live coverage, but here's what you need to know about the storm:

  • How strong is the storm? Barry was churning Friday in the Gulf of Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center's advisory at 5 p.m. ET. Barry is expected to grow into a hurricane by the time it makes landfall, the hurricane center said. It will likely be a Category 1 storm.
  • When and where will it make landfall? After the wind and rain picks up Friday and evening across south Louisiana, landfall is expected between late Saturday morning and midday, somewhere along the state's central coast. The worst conditions for south Louisiana and New Orleans will kick in Saturday and last into Sunday. Barry will then move inland to the Lower Mississippi Valley, when it should begin to weaken, the hurricane center said.
  • What are the risks? While wind is a huge threat in tropical systems, the dangers here are posed by heavy rainfall, storm surge and flooding, authorities have emphasized.

You can follow the latest updates on Saturday here.

7:55 p.m. ET, July 12, 2019

Water washes over Louisiana highway

A new photo shows water washing over a highway in Golden Meadow, Louisiana, after it was closed off to traffic.

The highway was closed earlier today ahead of Tropical Storm Barry, according to Lafourche Parish spokesperson Caroline Eschette.

The photo shows Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s deputies standing in front of the washed out road.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office
Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

7:39 p.m. ET, July 12, 2019

Southwest Airlines cancels Saturday flights from New Orleans airport

Southwest Airlines has canceled all flights from New Orleans airport Saturday.

They plan to resume service on Sunday, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport tweeted. 

7:35 p.m. ET, July 12, 2019

New Orleans mayor: "The best option is for our people to shelter in place"

From CNN's Anna Laffrey

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Friday it’s “absolutely” the best option for residents to shelter in place as Tropical Storm Barry continues to strengthen.

“The best option is for our people to shelter in place so that we protect their lives,” Cantrell told CNN. 

In making the decision whether to call for an evacuation, Cantrell said, “Time was not on our side.” 

New Orleans issued a voluntary evacuation notice Friday afternoon for anyone living outside the city’s levee system — a shift from earlier in the day, when no voluntary evacuation warning had been issued.

Cantrell tweeted that the flood protection authority planned to close the Highway 90 floodgate at 6 p.m. local time (7 p.m. ET).

"Due to the closure and anticipated high water on the roadways, public safety personnel will be unable to respond to calls for service," she tweeted.

Watch for more:

6:58 p.m. ET, July 12, 2019

HHS declares public health emergency in Louisiana

From CNN's Gregory Wallace

A US national flag flutters in high winds in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana on July 12, 2019, ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Barry.
A US national flag flutters in high winds in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana on July 12, 2019, ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Barry. SETH HERALD/AFP/Getty Images

The Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency in Louisiana in preparation for the impact from Tropical Storm Barry. 

HHS has also staged around 100 public health officials along with supplies in the region.

“We are fully prepared to support communities that need our help due to the storm,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement Friday. “We are working closely with state health and emergency management officials to anticipate the communities’ healthcare needs and be ready to meet them.”
6:00 p.m. ET, July 12, 2019

Regional Transit Authority will suspend services in New Orleans tonight

From CNN's Hollie Silverman

The Regional Transit Authority in New Orleans will suspend services tonight ahead of the storm.

Services will be suspended starting 8 p.m. local time (9 p.m. ET) as part of an order to shelter in place, which will also start at the same time, the RTA tweeted.

5:35 p.m. ET, July 12, 2019

Louisiana senator: We are "as ready as we can be" for Barry

From CNN's Anna Laffrey

Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy on Friday said that while Tropical Storm Barry will be a “serious storm,” the people in his home state are “as ready as we can be” to handle the extreme weather coming.

The Republican lawmaker said Louisiana’s emergency procedures are underway and "federal resources are here."

“That doesn’t mean that this is going to be a cake walk, or this is the big rock candy mountain here," Kennedy said.

He said his biggest concern is the heavy rain.

"Water is our concern. No. 1, you get 10 to 20 inches of rain — you're gonna flood even if you're on Pikes Peak. We also were concerned about the levees overtopping," the senator said.

Kennedy continued: "I've been through a lot of these. Every storm is different, but they have two things in common: they make you realize that the power of nature can humble the power of human beings anytime it wants to and the other thing I always learn is if you are not scared, you're either a fool or a liar."

Kennedy was Louisiana's state treasurer when Hurricane Katrina hit, the senator said. He said the state is “infinitely better prepared” to endure Barry than it was to take on Katrina.

“[Katrina] was a dumpster fire at all levels — federal, state and local,” Kennedy said. “We had nowhere to go but up.”

Watch for more:

4:59 p.m. ET, July 12, 2019

Barry is expected to make landfall as a hurricane

Tropical Storm Barry is expected to be a hurricane when it makes landfall on Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center's latest advisory.

The hurricane center warned of a dangerous storm surge, heavy rain and high winds across the northern and central Gulf Coast. According to the forecast, Barry will make landfall over the central Louisiana coast on Saturday.

"Strengthening is forecast before landfall, and Barry is expected to be a hurricane when the center reaches the Louisiana coast on Saturday. Weakening is expected after Barry moves inland," the hurricane center said.

Here's a look at the latest storm predictions:

4:01 p.m. ET, July 12, 2019

Red Cross shelters are now open as Tropical Storm Barry approaches land

The American Red Cross is making resources available to Louisiana ahead of Tropical Storm Barry.

In a statement, the organization said they are mobilizing volunteers, shelters, relief supplies, vehicles and other equipment for people on the coast.

Here are some of the resources they will have available and how you can take advantage of them if you are stuck in the storm:

  • Shelters are now open: If you need a safe place to go call 2-1-1, visit redcross.org or download the Red Cross Emergency App.
  • Stay connected: The Red Cross Emergency App can be used to get real-time weather alerts, find open shelters and get expert advice on hurricanes and flooding. Many local parishes and cities are also offering their own emergency alert system that residents can subscribe to.
  • Stay safe: Pack an emergency kit, listen to your local radio and be prepared to evacuate.