Power Out In City Nearest Tropical Storm Barry

July 12, 2019 4:07 am

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – The city closest to where Tropical Storm Barry is predicted to make landfall is already seeing power outages. Some Louisiana parishes around Morgan City were reporting more than half their customers without electricity around daybreak Saturday. A long day in Morgan City started with on and off rain. People were using cellphones to see in the dark and opening doors and windows to let the warm, sticky tropical air circulate. Barry’s center is expected to slowly move onshore near Morgan City later Saturday. East of Morgan City in New Orleans, only scattered showers and a light breeze stirred up the famous French Quarter. But forecasters warned that heavy rains and possible flooding were coming within hours. In the New Orleans suburbs, the storm’s approach filled Lake Pontchartrain 3 feet (1 meter) above typical levels. Winds pushed water onto streets on the north side of the lake near Mandeville.