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Tropical Depression # 13 has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Lee. Winds are 40mph with higher gusts. Lee is expected to drift northwest today at 1-3 mph. Heavy rains will continue to move across… Click to Read More and see additional updates

Tropical Depression # 13 has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Lee. Winds are 40mph with higher gusts. Lee is expected to drift northwest today at 1-3 mph. Heavy rains will continue to move across Acadiana starting today, and lasting through Tuesday. Lee is expected to remain a tropical storm and not move inland until Sunday or Monday.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - With a slow-moving tropical weather system threatening the northern Gulf Coast, voluntary evacuations were called in two coastal Louisiana communities.

The evacuations were called Friday in southern Lafourche Parish and on Grand Isle, a barrier island resort town that's especially vulnerable to tropical weather.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect from Mississippi to Texas. 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 locations.

Entegy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C is watching the system over the Gulf of Mexico very carefully and preparing for a potential impact. All Entergy's utility companies in Louisiana are preparing for high winds, elevated tides, rain and flooding that could affect the companies' service in the southern parishes. Line crews and contractors will be positioned near any areas that could be hit by the storm.

Crews are still returning after their efforts to help restore power to areas affected by Hurricane Irene.

The company also reminds customers to stay away from any power lines that may go down during a storm and to call 1:800-9OUTAGE toll-free.

Also, everyone is reminded to be prepared in the event of a storm. These following tips are suggested:

Purchase bottled water. The American Red Cross recommends one gallon of water per person per day.
Check emergency equipment such as flashlights, battery-operated radios, extension cords, emergency generators, etc. Buy extra batteries.
Keep extra cash on hand, since an electrical power outage may prevent you from withdrawing money from automatic teller machines or banks.
Turn your refrigerator to its coldest setting. If the power goes out, this will keep food fresh longer. Keep the refrigerator closed - most food will stay frozen or fresh up to 12 hours.
Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics.
Place critical documents such as birth certificates, insurance documents, special pictures, etc., in a safe box.
Fill your vehicle's gas tank.

A look at folks getting their sandbags in Erath. Jenise Fernandez- KATC TV 3 is there now.

Tropical Depression #13 is trying to get its act together over the central Gulf of Mexico today and should become a tropical storm sometime later today. It hasn't moved much since yesterday, and #13 should drift very slowly toward the Louisiana coastline.

The National Hurricane Center strengthens this system to 65mph before landfall. But it might not reach land until late Sunday or Monday. This could set the stage for a heavy rainfall event, especially in areas from Biloxi to New Orleans, but much of coastal Louisiana will see the potential for flooding rain.

Today rainfall will move into the eastern sections of Acadiana with mostly cloudy skies and a nice breeze. Tonight the rains will spread westward and should be steady through Saturday. Heavy rains will be possible through the day Saturday with winds getting stronger by Saturday night. Tropical Storm force winds will reach the coastline early Sunday and could spread inland to areas along I-10 by Sunday afternoon. Heavy rains will continue area wide Sunday.

As the system makes landfall late Sunday or Monday, there will be windy and rainy conditions with the potential for rain induced flooding. Tides will run above normal, but storm surge flooding is not expected this time.

Here are the threats from this system from the most likely to least likely. 1. Rainfall Flooding. 2. Coastal Flooding. 3. Tornadoes or wind damage from individual storms. 4. Tropical Storm force winds.

COASTAL AREAS:

Today: Rainfall will increase with heavy rains possible this afternoon. Tides could run up to 1 foot above normal. Gusty winds to 30mph will be possible.

Saturday: Rainfall continues, above normal tides, winds up to tropical storm force possible, and waterspouts in the offshore waters.

Sunday: More rain, heavy at times. Winds up to 60mph at the coast. 40-50 mph in gusts in areas 15 miles inland. Above normal tides.

I-10 AREAS:

Today: Scattered Rain with heavy rain possible. Staying breezy.

Saturday: Widespread rainfall, flooding possible. Winds 25-35 mph. Severe thunderstorm threat.

Sunday: More rain likely, winds 35-45mph. Some severe storms.

INLAND AREAS:

Today: Scattered rain, some heavy at times. Cloudy and breezy.

Saturday: Rain likely, some heavy with flooding possible. Winds 20-25 mph. Severe storms possible.

Sunday: More rain, winds 30-35mph. Severe storms possible.

Today, Governor Bobby Jindal will hold a meeting of the Unified Command Group (UCG) on the storm system in the Gulf and then hold a press conference at GOHSEP in Baton Rouge at 11:15 AM. We will carry it live on KATC and on katc.com.

The city Franklin will be giving out sandbags to residents within the corporate limits of the city. Sandbags will be available at The Complex, 1300 Iberia Street. The sandbags will be available until 7pm leading up to Labor Day.

The City of Duson will be giving out sandbags. They will only be given to residents within the corporate limits of the city and everyone must have I.D. Sandbags will be handed out at 806 First Street.

St. Martin Parish is offering sandbags to their residents at each Maintenance Barn in Upper St. Martin Parish and at the Stephensville Water Plant in Lower St. Martin Parish. The will be available until 5 P.M. Today and from 7 A.M. until Saturday.

Additional times will be released as more information will be available. Everyone will need to be able to fill their own sandbags.

Location addresses are as follows:

North Barn at Grand Point Hwy & North Barn Rd, Breaux Bridge, LA

Ruth Barn at 1035 Ruth Bridge Hwy, Breaux Bridge, LA

South Barn on Cappritto-Forty Arpent Rd, St Martinville, LA

Stephensville Water Plant at Tower Tank Rd, Stephensville, LA.

Scott will have sandbags at the Maintenance Building located at 118 Lions Club Road at 1 P.M. to 6P.M. Residents within the corporate limits must show I.D. Distribution will continue Saturday from 8 A.M. until 1 P.M.

This weekend's Cajun Zydeco Festival has been canceled. Tentatively, this festival is slated to be rescheduled for next Saturday, September 10.

The City of Youngsville has sand, bags, and scoops available for any Youngsville residents interested in sandbags. There are several locations where you can get them. If you are able to fill your own sandbags, you can go to 415 Iberia Street/Fontain View Dr. At the Youngsville Horse Arena, 310 Railroad Ave. At the Public Works Department, or 304 Fourth Street at the Youngsville Police Sept.

There is also a pre-bagged station reserved for HANDICAPPED and the ELDERLY ONLY! It is located at 416 Railroad Ave. at the Youngsville Waterwaste Plant.

HOUMA, La. (AP) - Officials say residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas of Terrebonne Parish should prepare for the possibility of flooding from a slow moving tropical depression in the central Gulf of Mexico.
Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet tells The Courier sandbags and sand will be made available at fire stations in bayou communities.
The south Lafourche lock and the Ted Gisclair floodgate in Larose were closed Thursday due to high waters. The Larose floodgate has openings at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
In Terrebonne, the Upper Little Caillou, Humble Canal, Bush Canal and Placid Canal floodgates are closed.

Iberia Parish is offering sandbags starting at 9 AM on 907 Fulton Street. Officials ask that vehicles come down North Street or Landry Street. The bags will be loaded by employees.

Vermilion Parish is offering sandbags at 5 locations throughout the parish. One across from Erath City Hall, Area 2 Barn and Public Works Barn in Abbeville, Area 3 Barn in Gueydan, Area 4 Barn in Kaplan. They'll provide the shovel, sand and bags, but you will have to fill your own.

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said agricultural producers, cattlemen and livestock owners in coastal areas should take precautionary steps to protect equipment and livestock against flooding and other weather issues arising from a tropical weather pattern that is advancing on the Louisiana coast.

"Heavy rains and wind gusts up to 40 to 50 miles per hour associated with Tropical Depression 13 in the Gulf of Mexico could potentially cause problems for your equipment and livestock over the weekend," Strain said. "Farmers and livestock owners should be prepared and monitor advisories that are issued from their local governmental authorities."

Louisiana Department of Animal Health and Food Safety officials said there are a number of steps livestock owners should consider in advance of the severe weather.

FOR CATTLE:

* Get cattle to the highest ground on your property that can allow access to trailers and vehicles if animals need to be moved.
* Valuable breeding stock should be identified and moved in accordance with owner's evacuation plan. Those animals should be kept closer to the homestead for easier transport.
* Ideally, cattle and equine trailers should be in good working order. Check your tail lights and tires and repair or replace them if necessary and possible.
* If you shelter in place, be sure to have a three to five day supply of water and hay for cattle.
* If a large group of cattle is to be moved, it's important that each herd member is properly identified with brands, microchips or ear tags. Identify the ultimate evacuation location for livestock.
* Plan to carry at least five days of food for your animals on livestock transports, especially if the animals require a specially formulated diet.
* Compile a record of mechanical inventory left behind and bring with you.
* Have photographs taken of your equipment and have copies with you; photograph your expensive saddles and bridles and other tack. The more documentation you have proving you own this property the better.

FOR HORSES

* Horses must have a permanent identification, whether it be microchip, brand or lip tattoo.
* Owners should bring all identification papers if evacuation is necessary along with a copy of the horse's current Coggins test record. It is extremely important to have the Coggins test record.
* Owners should also carry recent photographs of their horses (including identifying marks or scars) with them if forced to evacuate.

The LDAFEmergencyProgramsInformationCenter at www.LDAF.state.la.us has information on how best to prepare your animals and yourself for extreme weather emergencies. A click on the Emergency Programs link in the top right hand column of the page will bring you directly to the Emergency Programs page located at http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Offices/EmergencyPrograms/tabid/526/Default.aspx

While the winds have picked up and some limited rain has started to fall, it's still unclear what kind of weather event Tropical Depression 13 is going to be. And that has some people looking to the past.

When Tropical Storm Allison first popped up on the radar, many people didn't think much about it.

"Let's face it, it rains here all the time so it's not that big of a deal. Once it got here and the water crept further and further towards my front door the anxiety was tremendous, especially because I'd just had a baby," said Broussard resident Rachel Stone.

Stone remembers Allison all too well, her now ten year old daughter was only days old and her new house was about to flood.

"So the water came up the street and all the way up to our front door," she said while standing outside.

And this newest tropical depression seems a lot like that storm back in June 2001.

"This storm system kind of compares to Tropical Storm Allison, Hurricane Juan, in a lot of ways because it's meandering, it's cut off from general circulation. And unfortunately a meandering system and a tropical system has exponential rainfall potential," explained KATC Chief Meteorologist Rob Perillo.

But there are some differences between Allison and this TD 13. For one, this year has been relatively dry.

"The river is low right now, the swamp which the river will overflow into is very low right now. The ground is dry, lots of saturation could happen," said Tom Carroll, Director of Lafayette City-Parish Public Works.

Carroll added the drainage system is also better equipped to handle record rainfall.

"We have made considerable improvements in that Youngsville area, Broussard area, south of there, to where if we do have a strong storm event we will be better off than we were 10 years ago during Allison," he said.

As always, tropical storms are unpredictable and we just won't know how much rainfall Acadiana will actually get until the weather system is here.

TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS have been issued for the entire Louisiana Coast including all of Acadiana except St Landry and Evangeline Parishes meaning tropical storm conditions are expected within 24 hours.

The coastal storm warnings extend from Sabine Pass Texas eastward to Pascagoula Mississippi.

As of 1000pm CDT Tropical Depression #13 was located roughly 200 miles south-southeast of Lafayette.

TD #13 is drifting to the NW very slowly at less than 5mph with maximum sustained winds near 35mph.

Gradual strengthening to tropical storm status is expected Friday morning with a tropical storm capable of 60mph sustained winds making landfall along the Acadiana Coast late Saturday.

Flooding rains beginning late Friday night and continuing through at least Sunday will be the primary threat of this system along with winds strong enough to create sporadic power outages late Saturday through Sunday.

Storm total rainfall with this system over several days will likely be greater than 10-15" in Acadiana with isolated amounts exceeding 2 feet in portions of the area through much of Southeastern Louisiana.

Stay with KATC for the latest with a full update on Good Morning Acadiana at 430am.

BATON ROUGE - Today, Governor Bobby Jindal issued the following executive proclamation declaring a state of emergency as a result of the forecasted conditions of Tropical Disturbance Invest (AL-93).

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, R.S. 29:721, et seq., confers upon the Governor of the State of Louisiana emergency powers to deal with emergencies and disasters, including those caused by fire, flood, earthquake or other natural or manmade causes, in order to ensure that preparations of this State will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the State of Louisiana;

WHEREAS, when the Governor determines that a disaster or emergency has occurred, or the threat thereof is imminent, R.S. 29:724(B)(1) empowers him to declare a state of emergency by executive order or proclamation;

WHEREAS, Tropical Disturbance Invest (AL-93) is currently located over the central Gulf of Mexico moving slowly northwestward toward the State of Louisiana and posing a threat of extremely heavy, prolonged rainfall resulting in very high tides for coastal parishes and the possibility of flash floods for coastal parishes and inland parishes through the Labor Day weekend;

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service does not at this time predict this storm to develop into a hurricane, however, the National Weather Service does calculate a high probability this storm will develop into a Tropical Storm that, due to regional weather conditions forecast for the State, could cause it to move slowly along the coast of the State with coastal and inland areas of the State forecast to receive up 12-15 inches of torrential rainfall over the next 48 hours;

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the next 72 hours for parts of southeastern Louisiana, which places lives and property in jeopardy;

NOW THEREFORE I, BOBBY JINDAL, Governor of the State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: Pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, R.S. 29:721, et seq., a state of emergency is declared to exist in the State of Louisiana as a result of forecasted tropical storm which has created emergency conditions that threaten the lives and property of the citizens of the State.

SECTION 2: The Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is hereby authorized to undertake any activity authorized by law which he deems necessary and appropriate in response to this declaration.

SECTION 3: The state of emergency extends from Thursday, September 1, 2011 through Friday, September 30, 2011, unless terminated sooner.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the City of Baton Rouge, on this Thursday, 1st day of September, 2011.

MIAMI (AP) - Hurricane Katia has weakened to a tropical storm as it moves across the Atlantic but forecasters say they expect it to strengthen again over the next two days.

Katia was about 930 miles (1497 kilometers) east of the Leeward Islands and moving west near 18 mph (30 kph) with maximum sustained winds late Thursday afternoon near 70 mph (113 kph), a 5 mph decrease. It could become a major hurricane this weekend.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said it's too early to tell if Katia will hit the U.S. It is expected to pass north of the Caribbean.

Meanwhile two other storm systems were developing over open water, but forecasters said Thursday it was too soon to tell if any might hit land.

Forecasters said there was an 80 percent chance a tropical depression could form in the Gulf of Mexico. It was unclear where that system would head, but it could bring much-needed relief to drought-plagued Texas.

The Gulf system already has prompted two major petroleum producers to remove crews from a handful of production platforms. Royal Dutch Shell and ExxonMobil said they would also cut off a small amount of production. Both moves affect only a fraction of production.

The hurricane center said a slow-moving low pressure system about 360 miles (579 kilometers) north of Bermuda stood a 50 percent chance in the next two days of becoming a tropical cyclone, the first step toward a tropical storm.

Also, a tropical depression in the eastern Pacific has weakened over southwestern Mexico and is expected to dissipate Thursday night.

Immediate concerns for all areas along the Gulf coast this weekend, from the Florida panhandle to the Texas coast stomping all the way to Acadiana's door step. Monitoring the tropical disturbance that shows increased signs of organized showers and thunderstorms. Not quite at tropical depression status yet, but numerous computer models forecast this system developing into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next 24-48 hours.

Uncertainties remain high about further development and movement, a better idea of the current stats of this activity once hurricane hunters finish investigating later today. At the very least expect torrential rainfall, perhaps coastal flooding, windy conditions, high surf, and rip currents. Coastal Flood Watch for Cameron, Iberia, St. Mary, and Vermilion Parishes and Flash Flood Watch for areas east of Lafayette through the weekend. These are in effect for the anticipation of conditions in the days to come. Threat levels could increase depending on track and intensity. This tropical system could sit in the Gulf of Mexico for days, if no movement over the region by Saturday/Sunday we could have worse weather conditions development as tropical storm or hurricane status would not be far out of reach.

At this rate, rainfall potential 5 to 15 inches north and west of where the system may fall, and 10 to 20+ inches in areas along or east of where the system may fall. Either way, a historical flood event could be possible within the next several days. Get prepared now and be sure to have a plan that keeps you and your family safe during the long Labor Day weekend. Keep it with KATC to get the latest on the tropical disturbance in the Gulf. Click below to get a quick peak at the tropical disturbance given by the NWS in Lake Charles.

Gulf Tropical Disturbance

BATON ROUGE -- September is the height of hurricane season, and with a tropical disturbance over the Gulf of Mexico expected to impact Louisiana over the weekend, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is encouraging residents to prepare by pre-applying online for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (DSNAP), formerly called Disaster Food Stamps.

"September is National Preparedness Month and preparation is critical, especially as we enter the height of hurricane season," said DCFS Secretary Ruth Johnson. "With a tropical disturbance moving in the Gulf and current flood watches in effect for our coast, I strongly urge all residents, especially those living in our coastal parishes, to take advantage of our online pre-application for DSNAP."

Johnson said that while a DSNAP program is not in effect and is not expected with the current system, now is the perfect time to pre-apply and be prepared for this or any other storm in the future.

DSNAP provides food assistance for eligible households who do not receive regular SNAP benefits and who need help buying groceries due to lost income or damages following a disaster. The state must request that the federal government initiate DSNAP, but can only make the request after the Stafford Act is activated, which has not yet occurred for this tropical depression.

According to Johnson, the pre-application process does not guarantee benefits, but is designed to save time, prevent long waits and to make it easier for applicants to collect the required income information before a disaster strikes.

"I hope all residents will make pre-applying online for DSNAP part of their disaster preparedness game plan," said Johnson. "By completing the pre-application online, residents are taking a proactive step to prepare themselves and their families for a disaster."

To pre-apply, residents can visit www.dcfs.louisiana.gov or www.getagameplan.org and provide the following information:

* Names, Social Security Numbers and Dates of Birth for each household member
* Current address and parish of household
* Monthly income for each household member
* All liquid resources for each household member (cash on hand, checking, savings and money market account balances and certificates of deposit)

The information will be kept securely on file and will be confidential.

Residents without Internet access may call 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578) to pre-apply.

In the event that a disaster is declared and a DSNAP program is launched, residents who have pre-applied only need to visit a DSNAP issuance site to verify their information and identity, determine final eligibility and receive their benefit cards. Exact eligibility requirements and DSNAP issuance sites will be announced only after a disaster is declared.

Louisiana's federally approved system is the first year-round DSNAP pre-application process in the nation.

BATON ROUGE - Governor Bobby Jindal held a Unified Command Group (UCG) meeting today to get an update on the tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico. Governor Jindal emphasized that state agencies are prepared to assist coastal parishes should the system develop further and he also encouraged Louisianians to make sure they have a gameplan as the Gulf Coast braces for the height of hurricane season.

Governor Jindal said, "We're closely monitoring the weather in the Gulf and our agencies are on alert and stand ready to assist coastal parishes if the system strengthens. We know from experience that it's best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, and since we're at the height of the hurricane season, now is a good time for Louisianians to make sure they have a gameplan to protect themselves and their families if a major storm approaches our coast."

The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness' (GOHSEP's) Crisis Action Team (CAT) is monitoring the system, which is currently located in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. The system is currently expected to bring heavy rain and possible flash flooding to coastal South Louisiana. At this point, the National Weather Service is estimating a possible accumulation of 10 to 12 inches of rain along coastal parishes over the next five days. Higher than normal tides are also expected.

"We will remain in contact with coastal parishes in the event they need assistance. With this being a holiday weekend, we encourage everyone to pay attention to their local forecasts and public officials for further guidance, if necessary. We certainly don't want anyone getting caught off guard," said Interim GOHSEP Director Pat Santos.

Hurricane season ends November 30. As a precaution, people should have extra supplies on hand such as non-perishable foods, bottle water, flashlights and extra batteries, in the event weather develops into something more severe. For a complete list of supplies and how you can keep your family safe from all hazards, go to www.getagameplan.org.

Agency Updates

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF):

· LDWF personnel across the coast are securing equipment in preparation for the storm

· All enforcement agents are on standby. LDWF has 225 agents and 150 vessels ready for response

· The LDWF mobile command unit and three fuel trailers are also on standby

· Wildlife personnel are securing equipment and preparing facilities at Wildlife Management Areas throughout the southern portion of the state

· Fisheries personnel across the coast are relocating vessels, vehicles and equipment at all of the coastal offices, including LaCombe, New Orleans, Grand Isle, Bourg/Houma and Lake Charles. Currently 60 fisheries staff members are engaged in storm preparations

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA):

· Two LDVA Veterans Homes located south of I-10 (Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve and Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Jennings) are taking early precautions including patient assessments, inventory of supplies and medications, and topping off fuel supplies

· LDVA Veterans Homes located in Jackson, Monroe and Bossier City are on stand-by and are ready to receive patients should evacuations be necessary

Louisiana State Police (LSP):

· LSP is prepared to assist local parishes with road closures in the event of flooding

Department of Natural Resources (DNR):

· The Office of Conservation has contacted several major pipeline operators with facilities in the coastal area and they have no plans at this time to shut-in any of their lines. They are taking the necessary precautions, such as, testing back-up generators, securing extra fuel for generators, securing tanks that are located in low lying areas, and placing extra personnel on standby to respond as necessary.

Coastal:

· Terrebonne Levee district have closed the Upper Little Cailliou, Bush Canal, and Humble Canal Floodgates.

· The South Lafourche Levee District has closed their floodgate on Bayou Lafourche.

Parish Update:

· The system is currently expected to bring heavy rain and possible flash flooding to coastal South Louisiana.

· Flash flood watch is in effect for Lower Lafourche Parish. Sandbags are available at all Field Office Locations:

o Thibodaux Field Office: 2565 Veterans Blvd. (985-446-0335)

o Raceland Field Office: 129 Texas Street (985-537-3390)

o Lockport Field Office: 6236 Hwy 308 (985-532-6474)

o Galliano/Cut Off Field Office: 128 West 97th Street, Cut Off (985-632-5670)

o Choctaw Field Office: 122 Choctaw Barn Road (985-633-2410)

o Bayou Blue Field Office: 104 Myrtle Place, Houma (985-876-5503)

Hurricane Hunter aircraft will investigate the tropical disturbance that is currently located in the southern Gulf of Mexico. This tropical wave may have the potential of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm today or tomorrow. The National Hurricane Center puts a 70% chance of that happening.

Computer models have come more into agreement over the last 24 hours indicating that a tropical system will develop over the central Gulf. Most models track the system toward the northern Gulf Coast this weekend, focusing more and more on Louisiana. Beyond Sunday, some models stall the system offshore, which could bring a heavy rain and/or flood event for much of Louisiana through Wednesday.

Most forecasts show a tropical storm, a few intensify the low into a hurricane before Saturday. Once the recon data is received, not only will we know what we're dealing with, but those numbers will be thrown into the computers too, so the model data should be more accurate. Hopefully this will give forecasters a more definite answer when it comes to the Labor Day weekend forecast.

As of now, only coastal flood watches are going up for tonight and tomorrow. If the recon aircraft finds a closed circulation and the system is upgraded to a depression or storm, other advisories such as Tropical Storm Watches or Warnings may be posted.

There is another disturbance near Bermuda today which also might become a tropical depression. Which ever system reaches tropical storm strength first, gets the next name on the list which is LEE. Could we possibly be dealing with a MARIA instead?

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The National Weather Service said a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico could become a tropical depression by the weekend.
People all along the northern Gulf coast were advised to monitor the system, which was producing cloudiness and thunderstorms as it moved northwestward.
Conditions for development of the system were not good early Thursday but that was expected to change later in the day. Although the path a depression would take was unclear, it was expected to bring rain to the coast starting Thursday, with rain chances increasing in the coming days.

A tropical storm may take aim at Morgan City.
The owner of Skipper's Sporting Goods says business is great because he sells dozens of festival shirts each year at the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival.
But, workers are concerned business might not be as good if weather keeps festival-goers away.
However, city officials say whatever mother nature brings the show will go on.

Most of us have a extended weekend planned for Labor Day, but heads up as our weather forecast changes quickly in the next several days. We are watching a surge of tropical moisture near the Yucatan Pennisula that continues to produce showers and thunderstorms moving west-northwestward. Starting tomorrow through Monday this tropical wave will meander across the northern and western Gulf of Mexico. There is still some uncertainty on how strong and where the system will develop.

However, models are becoming in better agreement that we may have some type of development on our hands in the next 48 hours. At the very least we will see a large increase of showers and thunderstorms that could produce 3-5 inches per day possibly totaling anywhere from 10-20 inches (more localized) between the Lafayette and New Orleans in only a few days. But anywhere from the Texas coast to the Flordia coast could be a target given rapid change in the forecast. This would cause a major flooding event, in turn could potentially create hazardous conditions especially for travelers along I-10, I-12, and anywhere south of that line. Make sure to take a little extra time to have a plan in case of emergency situations where we could experience tropical storm or at least tropical storm like conditions over the holiday weekend. Hurricane hunter aircraft will go up tomorrow afternoon which will give us more detail on currents. Keep it with KATC for the latest forecast as uncertainties remain so you and your family can plan accordingly.

Long-term statistics dictate that Acadiana and Southern Louisiana averages an 80% chance of one or more tropical storms affecting the area in any given year.

And after the busy 2008 season with Gustav and Ike and two quiet years for Acadiana with minor disturbances (two almost of depression status last year), the statistics appear to be catching up with us.

An area of disturbed weather and high tropical moisture content, with very little organization at this time, in the Northwest Caribbean is expected to drift into the Gulf of Mexico by Thursday/Friday of this week.

The dominant ridge of high pressure that has kept much of the area in drought conditions and brought persistent, exceptionally high heat this summer, will be breaking down this weekend ahead of a cool front that may approach the Gulf States, but stall early next week.

This all sets the stage for favorable tropical conditions to develop in the Gulf with a modest tropical cyclone (meaning a tropical storm) possible developing this weekend, perhaps as early as Friday.

As so often occurs with weaker systems developing in the Gulf, steering currents are expected to be light and variable so a system lingering in the warm Gulf waters for several days is a distinct possibility.

As we all know, the longer these systems sit out there the better chance they have of strengthening, becoming quite disruptive and producing flooding rains.

All reliable global computer models are indicating some modest tropical development and very heavy rains for portions of the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico, keying in on Texas and Louisiana coasts.

If these scenarios do pan out flooding rains may develop with the threat lasting for several days including the entire Labor Day Weekend.

In addition, our high resolution in-house model, FutureCast (pictured above) is indicating a tropical storm poised just off the Texas/Louisiana coasts as early as Friday.

On a positive note, drought denting/busting rains are on the way for many areas that have seen less than 50% of normal rainfall over the last two years...but as we say when it rains, it pours, and there will likely be too much in many areas if this system gets close enough to the coast.

While strengthening Tropical Storm Katia in the far eastern tropical Atlantic will get the headlines for today, the tropical headlines later this week and weekend will be with the expected Gulf of Mexico disturbance and the flood potential it will have.

The next named system in the Atlantic Basin will be "Lee", which could become generally a flooding rain threat if the latest computer models are correct.

Stay with KATC for the latest this week.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Weather forecasters in New Orleans and along the western Gulf Coast are keeping an eye on a tropical wave over the northwestern Caribbean Sea.

The National Weather Service says the wave is expected to move over the Yucatan peninsula over the next day or two and there is some potential for development in the western Gulf. The weather service said there was a low probability - about 10 percent as of Tuesday afternoon - that the wave could develop into a tropical cyclone by Thursday.

Weather forecasts call for rain chances to increase late in the week and into the weekend in south Louisiana and southeast Texas.

MIAMI (AP) - Tropical Storm Katia has formed and is slowly strengthening as it moves across the Atlantic.

Katia has maximum sustained winds late Tuesday morning near 45 mph (72 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says gradual strengthening is forecast and Katia is expected to be near hurricane strength by late Wednesday or early Thursday.

The storm's forecast track shows it could become a major hurricane over the weekend.

Katia is centered about 630 miles (1014 kilometers) west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands and is moving west-northwest at 18 mph (29 kph). Hurricane specialist Michael Brennan says Katia could affect the Caribbean, but it's too early to tell if it will hit the U.S.

The storm's name replaces Katrina in the rotating storm roster because of the catastrophic damage from the 2005 storm.