UPDATE: Tropical Storm Barry was demoted to a Tropical Depression Barry. According to AP, New Orleans and Baton Rouge was hit by a weaker hurricane than forecasters expected. However, levees were still overtopped and over 90 people had to be rescued due to the high water in areas.
A flash flood emergency was declared in Jefferson Parish, La., with nearly 8 in. of rain reported. According to AccuWeather, a total of 6.27 in. was reported in downtown New Orleans, while Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in the northwestern part of the city reported 1.54 in.
Days before the severe weather, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration report warned Louisiana residents of flooding. According to USA Today, New Orleans streets, including the French Quarter, now look more like rivers.
Tropical Storm Barry formed Thursday morning in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to hit the Gulf Coast Saturday as a hurricane.
A warning was put in effect Thursday for the Louisiana coast from the mouth of the Pearl River to Morgan City, according to USA Today.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency. Edwards is warning the "entire coast of Louisiana is at play in this storm."
“National Guard troops and high-water vehicles would be positioned all over the state,” Edwards said, according to USA Today.
New Orleans was hit with severe thunderstorms prompting tornado warnings Wednesday, July 10. According to AccuWeather, the storms forced the closure of City Hall downtown and caused disrupted travel.
The water left residents to deal with swampy streets, overturned garbage cans and flooded vehicles, according to USA Today. Some residents had to paddle their way down the street in kayaks.
