State of emergency declared as Louisiana braces for tropical storm Barry

Washington: US President Donald Trump declared an emergency in the state of Louisiana as it braces for Tropical Storm Barry.

In an advisory, the National Weather Service stated, "There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation along the coast of southern and southeastern Louisiana, portions of Lake Pontchartrain, and portions of coastal Mississippi where a Storm Surge warning si in effect. Water levels have already begun to rise in these areas, with peak inundation expected to occur later today.

"The slow movement of Barry will result in a long duration of heavy rainfall and flood threat along the central Gulf Coast, across portions of the Lower Mississippi Valley and north into the Tennessee Valley," the agency added. "Flash flooding and river flooding will become increasingly likely, some of which may be life threatening, especially across portions of southeast Louisiana into Mississippi."

"Hurricane conditions are expected along the coast of Louisiana, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect. Tropical storm conditions are expected elsewhere along much of the Louisiana coast and inland across portions of the lower Mississippi Valley where tropical storm warnings are in effect," according to the agency.

The Louisiana National Guard (LANG), as directed by Governor John Bel Edwards, were authorised to activate up to 3,000 Soldiers and Airmen, ahead of the storm.

“The Louisiana National Guard is taking a proactive and aggressive approach in dealing with the preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Barry,” said Maj Gen Glenn H. Curtis, adjutant general of the LANG. “This will allow our Guardsmen to be more successful in their priority missions immediately following the storm – search and rescue operations and commodities distribution.”

Residents were urged to seek shelter.

"This will be a statewide weather event that everyone should take seriously, said Edwards on Thursday. "Now is the time for everyone to heed the warnings from their local authorities and get a game plan for their families, pets and businesses. We want everyone to take every precaution necessary to stay safe."