Parishes across Southeast Louisiana are keeping an eye on a storm brewing in the Gulf that could become Tropical Storm Lee by Saturday. They’re preparing for torrential rain and flash flooding this weekend.
Pumping stations will be busy. They are designed to pump only one inch of rain the first hour and half an inch every following hour. Forecasts show the New Orleans metropolitan area could receive five to ten inches in a short amount of time and even more in some areas.
In Jefferson Parish, emergency managers are pumping down canals, setting up barricades at fire stations and asking residents to clear catch basins at their homes.
The parish activated 24-hour emergency operations through Sunday night.
“We've told people if you don't need to be out and about, stay home. It's the weekend. Watch some football. That way you won't create wakes through the neighborhoods if there is some street flooding. And again it's against the law to do that anyway,” said Jefferson Parish President John Young.
Terrebonne Parish is prepping for high tides and heavy rain.
The Upper Little Caillou Barge Structure, Bush Canal Barge Structure and the Humble Canal Auxiliary Structure are closed.
In St. Bernard extra pumps are in place near flooding hot spots.
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