UPDATE, 1:40 p.m.: A flash flood warning was issued for Orleans Parish, parts of Jefferson Parish and parts of St. Tammany Parish until 4:45 p.m. Wednesday
Southeast Louisiana, including Baton Rouge and parts of metro New Orleans, are under a flood watch until noon Thursday, according to National Weather Service forecasters.
New Orleans is also under a flood advisory through Wednesday afternoon.
The severe storms are forecast to impact the area through Thursday morning, NWS said, with risks of flooding and heavy rainfall being the biggest threats. Forecasters said Baton Rouge and New Orleans will likely see two to three inches of rain, and up to four inches of rain on the north shore, but locally higher amounts are possible.
Here's the latest on the heavy rain & severe weather threats.
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) May 25, 2022
Moderate risk of flooding rain has been expanded. Greatest threat south of a line from Baton Rouge to Kentwood to Columbia.
Severe weather threat will continue to shift eastward as the line progresses.#lawx #mswx pic.twitter.com/eub7i8u4NO
NWS meteorologist Lauren Nash said the line of storms has already passed Baton Rouge, and is moving east through New Orleans. Both areas should expect widespread showers and thunderstorms through the night, according to Nash.
The primary threat is flooding, Nash said, though damaging winds are also possible. According to reports, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway had to close briefly late Wednesday morning due to thunderstorms and winds.
As the threat of severe weather continues, a high-wind restriction is in place on the bridge and won't allow motorcycles, glass trucks or RVs to cross for the time being, according to reports.
While tornadoes and hail aren’t as likely, NWS said they “cannot be ruled out.”
The storms should dissipate early Thursday.
“By tomorrow late morning, we should be dry,” Nash said.
Wednesday’s weather in Baton Rouge:
- Temperature: high of 79 degrees and low of 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Winds blowing up to 15 mph
- Rainfall up to 2 inches, with locally higher amounts possible
- Flood watch until noon Thursday
Wednesday’s weather in New Orleans:
- Temperature: high of 82 degrees and low of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Winds blowing up to 20 mph
- Rainfall up to 2 inches, with locally higher amounts possible
- Flood watch until noon Thursday
- Flood advisory until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday
Thursday’s weather in Baton Rouge:
- Temperature: high of 83 degrees and low of 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Winds blowing up to 10 mph
- New rainfall up to a quarter-inch, with locally higher amounts possible
- Flood watch until noon Thursday
Thursday’s weather in New Orleans:
- Temperature: high of 82 degrees and low of 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Winds blowing up to 15 mph
- Rainfall up to a quarter-and-a-half inch, with locally higher amounts possible
- Flood watch until noon Thursday
Follow the latest updates at the NWS website and on Twitter.
