At a press conference on Sunday, Governor John Bel Edwards said that Sally is not expected to remain a Tropical Storm and could be a possible Category 2 storm. "We do need people to take this storm system very seriously."
Since Saturday, a track has shifted towards the west with more impact towards the New Orleans metro area. Edwards has spoken with President Donald Trump about the storm and what is expected in the the state. He has also asked for more assistance for hurricane Laura.
"We have reason to be concerned about this storm. This is going to be a slow moving storm along a similar path to what hurricane Isaac took," Edwards said. "We have every reason to believe that this storm presents a serious threat to the people of southeast Louisiana."
He mentioned the slow movement of this system saying that it could be 12 hours for movement from Kenner to Hammond
"We ask people to pay attention to broadcasts, local officials, and warnings." Edwards said.
Officials from the National Weather Service say that the soon to be Hurricane Sally will be a low-end category 2 storm at landfall. Wind speeds are expected to intensify to a category 2 with winds of 100 mph and gusts of 120 mph as it nears the coast.
Everyone in Southeast Louisiana should prepare now for hurricane force impacts.
The storm is expected to slow at it reaches the coast with prolific rainfall in the areas where the storm will pass. It is not a particularly large storm but those in the wind field will see significant damage from the storms.
Power outages are expected to occur due to the storms impact.
Surge will be seen the heaviest from the mouth of the Mississippi to the Lake Borgne area which can expect anywhere from 7 - 11 feet. Nine foot surge is possible in some areas with significant surge possible outside of the track as far away as Alabama.
Flooding rains are also expected. 15 inches of rainfall could be possible in the city of New Orleans. Exact rainfall totals are not known for specific locations but the National Weather Service does expect heavy rains and flooding. Those rains could still be seen out towards the west side of the storm in areas like Baton Rouge.
Winds will also factor into these areas.
Edwards says that 17 parish offices will be closed on Monday with more possibly announced at a later time. Those parishes are Ascension Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St Charles, St James, St Martin, St Tammany, Terrebone, Tangiphoa and Washington Parishes.
State offices in Beauregard, Calcasieu and Cameron will remain closed due to the effects of Laura.
Crews from Entergy and Cleco will be moving crews from Southwest Louisiana into Southeast Louisiana. Edwards says there are no executive orders preventing line workers from coming into the state.
The state is currently responding to requests from various parishes for preparations such as sandbags and generator help. National Guard is continuing with their help for Hurricane Laura and is preparing for Sally.
Evacuees from Southwest La who are in southeast LA from Hurricane Laura are being taking care of. "We are going to make sure that they are safe during this storm. I can imagine how frustrating it is. There is no plans to evacuate these Laura evacuees," Edwards said.
Edwards also spoke about generator safety. "We have had far too many people killed by carbon monoxide poisoning from Laura," he said.
For more on safety tips, click here..
Edwards says that now is the time for you and your family to get your game plan together.
"Take every precaution, follow local news and continue to heed the warnings of local officials. Stay aware and be prepared," he said on his Facebook page.
On Saturday, the governor declared a State of Emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Sally. Read more here.
Another press conference is expected to be held on Monday September 14 at 2:00 pm.
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