Storm Barry: First hurricane of the year expected to disrupt travel this weekend

Flash flood warnings issued in New Orleans as tropical storm Barry approaches Louisiana coast

A tropical storm has developed over the northern Gulf of Mexico with conditions that may be favorable for the system to strengthen to hurricane strength. It is expected to bring hazardous weather to the Louisiana coast this weekend.

Tropical storm Barry is predicted to develop into a hurricane by Saturday. It should make landfall on the same day.

There will be a long duration of heavy rainfall in the Mississippi Valley area. It is likely this will bring flash and river flooding. Flood warnings for the region have been extended to Sunday morning. 

Residents of Louisiana and northeast Texas have been told to prepare for up to 46 centimeters (18 inches) of rain.

The Mississippi is expected to surge to 5.8 meters (19 feet). The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority plans to close more than 90 floodgates.

Antwan Harris, the authority’s spokesperson, told CNN that they closed 21 floodgates last night. The agency said they plan to close at least 70 more over the next 24 hours.

Customers of Kiwi.com who may be affected by Storm Barry have been informed that their travels could be disrupted, as have partners who use our B2B products. 

Air travel will be disrupted in the area of storm track. This covers Baton Rouge metropolitan, Louis Armstrong New Orleans international, Lafayette regional and Shreveport regional airports. 

We expect that it’s highly possible airlines will change schedules and cancel flights between 20:00 on 12 July and 05:00 on 15 July.

Southwest, Spirit and United Airlines are informing their customers about waivers.

Airports in the Florida panhandle will be impacted by numerous thunderstorms and we can expect moderate to heavy delays at Northwest Florida Beaches international, Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola international and Mobile Downtown airports between 14:00 on 11 July and 05:00 on 15 July.

It is not likely that the Houston area will see significant impact. Isolated thunderstorms could occur at George Bush intercontinental and William P Hobby airports between 20:00 on 12 July and 05:00 on 15 July.