Potential Tropical Cyclone One threatens New Orleans with heavy rain Wednesday

Potential Tropical Cyclone One is expected to make landfall over southwestern Louisiana Wednesday evening, with new orleans in the weather system's broader rain and wind field. The National Weather Service said tropical storm-force winds are expected near the coast as the disturbance tracks inland.

The heaviest rain is expected ahead of the track from the Texas Gulf coast through the deep South. In Baton Rouge, a flood watch remains in effect until 7 a.m. Friday, and the forecast calls for 5 to 10 inches of rain near and just north of the system's path, with isolated totals near 20 inches.

National Weather Service forecast

Wednesday brings a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon, with south winds of 5 to 10 mph and gusts as high as 25 mph. By Wednesday night, the weather service said, “Winds could gust as high as 40 mph,” and the chance of rain rises to 80%, with 2 to 3 inches of new rainfall possible.

“Generally 5 to 10 inches of rain, with isolated totals near 20 inches, are forecast near and just north” of the track, the weather service said. The center of the disturbance is expected to move inland and dissipate over central Mississippi by Thursday morning.

Baton Rouge flood watch

The flood watch for Baton Rouge runs through 7 a.m. Friday, while showers and storms are expected mainly before 1 p.m. Thursday. The weather service said, “Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall,” and Friday carries a 70% chance of rain during the day, with partly sunny conditions.

St. James Parish Schools and Zachary Community Schools are closed Thursday. The weather service also warned, “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads,” and added, “Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”