Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
A week after deadly Texas flooding, hope fades but resilience grows. Chevron right
Recovery teams, displaced residents in Texas face brutal heat. Chevron right

Columbus, OH

69°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

69°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Newsletters

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

New Orleans left underwater as city races to prepare for approaching storm

By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather senior editor

Published Jul 10, 2019 3:26 PM EDT | Updated Jul 12, 2019 4:21 AM EDT

Copied

A waterspout just off of the New Orleans, Louisiana coast came ashore on July 10, causing violent tornado damage. One large home was ripped to pieces by the powerful winds.

Severe thunderstorms prompted tornado warnings and inundated downtown New Orleans on Wednesday morning, causing travel to be disrupted and forcing the closure of City Hall. The flooding occurred as a brewing tropical system, which has become Tropical Storm Barry, gathered strength over the Gulf of Mexico.

A flash flood emergency was declared in Jefferson Parish, with nearly 8 inches of rain reported in some areas. A total of 6.27 inches was observed at the heliport in downtown New Orleans, while Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in the northwestern part of the city reported 1.54 inches. In Bridge City, located southwest of downtown, 7.75 inches of rain fell.

New Orleans city officials and those with the National Weather Service urged residents to stay off the roads and to seek higher ground if they encountered flooding. An EarthCam posted in the French Quarter captured video of the city's iconic Bourbon Street underwater as cars navigated the intersection and heavy rain continued falling. Between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. local time, about 5.56 inches fell in downtown New Orleans.

"Heavy downpours will still be a threat over the coming days as Barry moves by just off of the coast to the south," AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sojda said.

Flash flood emergency issued in New Orleans amid widespread flooding
Twitter

Barry has the potential to unleash a deluge of more than 2 feet of rain on parts of the Gulf states, which Sojda said poses a dangerous situation for the Louisiana coastline.

"This weekend looks to carry the most significant flooding threat for southern Louisiana, as Tropical Storm Barry makes landfall in southwestern Louisiana," Sojda said. He added, "Areas to the east of the landfall point are expected to see the heaviest rain this weekend, with 20-plus inches possible in spots. This threat includes New Orleans."

The heavy rain on Wednesday and the approaching precipitation from Barry over the Gulf fueled flooding concerns and sparked evacuations in and around New Orleans.

Offshore oil operators in the Gulf of Mexico have already evacuated platforms and rigs, KATC reports.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered for the east bank of Plaquemines Parish starting at 6 a.m. Thursday. Parts of the west bank are also under a mandatory evacuation, spanning from the Oakville floodgate south to Venice.

Voluntary evacuations were also issued starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday for the same areas.

Additionally, Mayor David Camardelle of Grand Isle issued a voluntary evacuation just after 3 p.m. CDT as a precautionary measure.

Earlier this week, the New Orleans branch of the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast the Mississippi River to crest at 20 feet Friday night into Saturday. Levees in New Orleans are able to protect the city from surges up to 20 feet, creating the possibility for a disaster. The NWS said officials there are coordinating closely with the Army Corps of Engineers and the National Hurricane Center and urged residents in the area to be vigilant about monitoring for updates in the coming days about potential flooding.

However, on Thursday, the river level forecast showed the river was expected to crest at 19 feet on Saturday, just below major flood stage.

Mississippi River Level 11 am

The NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service shows the Mississippi River at New Orleans is expected to crest at 19 feet on Saturday, July 13. (NWS)

To prepare for Tropical Storm Barry, at least 200 flood gates around New Orleans are expected to be closed by Friday, according to NOLA.com.

Despite tornado warnings that lasted well into the afternoon, no confirmed tornadoes were reported. However, people captured and posted to social media images of an apparent waterspout that formed over Lake Pontchartrain and destroyed a home.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a post on Twitter that police officers would ticket motorists who drive faster than 5 mph on streets with standing water and that parking restrictions on neutral grounds and sidewalks had been suspended.

"Residents are reminded not to block intersections or streetcar tracks. To reduce risk of street flooding, do not park in front of or on a catch basin," Cantrell said. Some streets were inundated with as much as 3 to 4 feet of water. Morgan Chesky of NBC News posted video on Twitter showing a deserted Dauphine Street completely submerged as traffic lights flashed on and off in the distance.

Dauphine Street under about 3-4 feet of water after a couple hours of heavy rain. #NBCNews pic.twitter.com/kXk06ejnHK

— Morgan Chesky (@BreakingChesky) July 10, 2019

The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board said that all major pumps were operating and that officials had 118 out of an available 120.

More than 20,000 customers around New Orleans didn't have power as of 10 a.m. local time, according to Entergy New Orleans.

Some departures out of the international airport were delayed due to the storms. The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority said all buses and streetcars were at a standstill.

"Once the streets are clear, they will continue their routes," officials said.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Weather News

A week after deadly Texas flooding, hope fades but resilience grows

Jul. 10, 2025
Severe Weather

Rounds of severe storms to rattle, drench central US

Jul. 11, 2025
video

Abandoned cars submerged by severe flooding in North Carolina

Jul. 10, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather Forecasts

Texas Hill Country recovery, cleanup teams to face brutal July weather

15 minutes ago

Weather News

State inspection before floods found Camp Mystic had emergency plan

22 hours ago

Weather News

Deadly flash flooding devastates wildfire-scarred New Mexico town

9 hours ago

Astronomy

1st full moon of summer to rise Thursday night

1 day ago

Weather News

Most Texas flood victims face devastation without flood insurance

19 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Health

How can families handle new anxieties around summer camp?

16 hours ago

AccuWeather Ready

Floodwater rising in your house? Do this

2 days ago

Weather News

Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why?

15 hours ago

Weather News

Earthquake swarm detected at Mount Rainier, biggest since 2009

20 hours ago

Weather News

The US has a plan to breed millions of flies and drop them from planes

16 hours ago

AccuWeather Weather News New Orleans left underwater as city races to prepare for approaching storm
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...