Residents in Gulf Coast states face heavy rain and flood threats this weekend as a severe storm system moves into the region.
Potential Tropical Cyclone 3, as the National Hurricane Center is referring to the system, is expected to hit late Friday or early Saturday and could develop into a subtropical or tropical storm posing additional wind, tornado, and storm surge threats for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, according to meteorologists with the Weather Channel.
Southeast Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle are expected to get the heaviest rain and have the highest risk of flash flooding as meteorologists estimate up to a foot of rain for some locations. Total rainfall further inland could reach up to 3 to 5 inches and even 7 inches in some areas.
GREEK LETTER HURRICANES ARE NO MORE
The system is expected to move inland into the northern or northwestern Gulf Coast region late Friday or early Saturday morning, the Weather Channel reported. Heavy rain from the storm could remain in Alabama, Georgia, and western North and South Carolina on Sunday. The eastern Carolinas and Virginia may also see rain into Monday.
Here are the Key Messages for Potential Tropical Cyclone Three for early Friday morning. You can always catch the latest advisory at https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB pic.twitter.com/GBiX21AJWE
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) June 18, 2021
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a state of emergency due to the weather threat.
“The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) has activated its Crisis Action Team and stands ready to support our local partners with any emergency resources needed beyond parish capabilities,” Edwards said in a statement, urging residents to complete an emergency plan. “It is important to stay weather aware as these storms approach the coast.”
I have issued a state of emergency due to the potential weather threats associated with Potential Tropical Cyclone 3, a tropical system expected to impact the Gulf Coast this weekend. According to the @NWS rainfall will be the biggest threat. https://t.co/w6e4eQRfsP. #lagov #lawx pic.twitter.com/US2bBmq5LJ
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) June 17, 2021
Chevron Corporation pulled nonessential workers from some operation sites in the Gulf of Mexico because of the storm.
“In preparation for the tropical weather, we have transported all non-essential personnel from our Chevron-operated Big Foot, Jack / St. Malo, and Tahiti platforms. All personnel on our Genesis facility have also been moved onshore,” a spokesperson for the oil company told CNN.
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The Gulf of Mexico has seen 16 named storms since June 2000, with 11 of those storms making landfall. Were the system to develop into a tropical storm, the next name on the National Hurricane Center’s list is Claudette.
