(September 2, 2011)—Tropical Storm Lee could be prodigious rainmaker in coastal Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, but its winds could make already-severe wildfire conditions in Texas even worse.
If the center moves mostly into Louisiana, as expected, winds on its west side will blow from land to open water, reducing the chance of rain in Texas and National Weather Service meteorologist Dennis Cavanaugh in Fort Worth says the hot, dry winds could actually increase the fire danger across the state.
Texas is enduring its most severe drought since the 1950s.
Some coastal areas could get up to 20 inches of rain, however.
Mississippi's governor declared a state of emergency in seven counties on or near the coast, saying the storm is expected to cause tremendous flooding.
In Louisiana, the president of the coastal St. Bernard parish said some floodgates are being closed along bayous, and residents are being warned to brace for heavy rain.
New Orleans was already getting some rain Friday afternoon and Mayor Mitch Landrieu declared a state of emergency.
Landrieu says the declaration will allow city agencies to more quickly make preparations for Lee's arrival.
He advised residents to do the same.
Louisiana's governor has also declared a state of emergency because of the threat of flash flooding.
The tropical storm formed around midday Friday south of the central Louisiana coast.
Forecasters say it should move ashore over the weekend and could produce as much as 20 inches of rain in some places.
A tropical storm warning was in effect Friday from Pascagoula, Miss. to Sabine Pass in Texas.
The storm was about 200 miles southeast of Cameron, La. and about 210 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River Friday afternoon with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour.
It was moving northwest at just 2 miles per hour.
Forecasters expect gradual strengthening over the next 48 hours.
Wind gusts of near 60 miles per hour were reported from oil rigs north and east of the center of the storm.
