US President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency in Louisiana as a growing tropical storm nears landfall. Storm Barry has been gathering speed over the Gulf of Mexico in recent days, said a BBC News report on Saturday.
Officials say sustained wind speeds have grown to 65mph (104km/h) and may reach hurricane strength by the time it makes landfall.
It is expected to bring a storm surge and heavy rainfall to the city of New Orleans – which has already seen thunderstorms and flash floods.
The National Weather Service warned that flooding from the storm poses a major risk.”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 Mississippi Valley and north into the Tennessee Valley,” it explained. “Flash flooding and river flooding will become increasingly likely, some of which may be life-threatening”.
The president’s declaration frees up wide-ranging federal resources which can be used to help in the emergency situation.
What is the latest with the storm?
The National Weather Service (NWS) say the storm is continuing to crawl at speeds of 3mph towards Louisiana.
Forecasters believe it will make landfall early on Saturday morning, local time, before weakening over the Lower Mississippi Valley later this weekend.
While there is no definitive link between climate change and Storm Barry, rising temperatures are increasingly a factor in making the impact of events like this more intense.
