Soggy TS Lee Meandering Around The Gulf Coast
MIAMI (CBS4) - Carrying drenching rains, high winds, and the possibility of tornadoes, Tropical Storm Lee moved slowly onto the Gulf coast near New Orleans Saturday morning, raising flooding worries as far away as Florida's panhandle. It continues to meander, with the center still off shore, slowly weakening as it continues to drench the coast.
At 11 p.m., Lee was 85 miles west-southwest of the mouth of the Morgan City, Louisiana and barely moving once again, after stalling earlier in the day. The storm is heading north-northwest at about 2 m.p.h.
Lee has sustained winds of 50 mph with some higher gusts. Tropical storm force winds extend out 260 miles
Rain bands from the storm have already moved on shore, with 7" of rain reported in some parts of Louisiana. a 4 foot storm surge was reported in one observing station on Lake Pontchartrain.
Louisiana's governor has declared a state of emergency because of the threat of flash flooding.
The National Hurricane Center said the system could dump 10 to 15 inches of rain over southern areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama through Sunday and as much as 20 inches in some spots. Forecasters believe the storm will continue a slow, erratic movement, and i8s hugging the coast.
Tropical storm warnings were issued from Texas eastward to the Alabama/Florida border. Eastward from the border to Destin, the National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Warning.
You can get complete details on the storm, including up-to date maps and forecasts, at the CBSMiami Tropical Weather Center.
You can also check on preps for tropical weather with checklists, shutter advice, and even preparation videos at CBSMiami Hurricane Preps
