Lee expected to make landfall late Saturday
Posted Sep 3, 2011 1:26 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Rain is already sweeping across the U. S. Gulf Coast, putting a damper on the Labour Day holiday weekend.
The storm could bring more than 500 millimetres of rain to some areas.
It’s bringing heavy rain and wind to Louisiana and Mississippi, with reports of power outages affecting thousands of people in both states.
Lee has already caused flooding in some low-lying areas, prompting evacuations in bayou towns where water is lapping at the front doors of homes.
Tropical storm warnings are up from Mississippi to Texas, while flash flood warnings extend into the Florida Panhandle.
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has declared a state of emergency for his city.
He says the declaration will allow city agencies to more quickly make preparations for Lee’s arrival.
He’s advising residents to do the same.
