(Credit: Entergy)
Though the tropical storm known as Barry was predicted to reach hurricane strength when it reached landfall in Louisiana over the weekend, its danger was downgraded yesterday afternoon – from a tropical storm to a tropical depression – and the expected catastrophic flooding did not take place. However, more than 100,000 people in Louisiana and Mississippi were without power over the weekend, according to CBS News.
Crews from energy company Entergy are continuing to restore power to businesses and residents in the areas hardest hit by Barry. As of Monday morning, nearly 25,000 customers in Louisiana were still without power, Entergy says.
Areas across the Gulf Coast, as well as parts of Arkansas, eastern Texas, western Tennessee and southeastern Missouri, have been warned that the possibility of flash floods still exist.
The storm will likely send an additional four to six inches of rain on Monday in areas of central Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi, reports CNN. The National Hurricane Center warned of dangerous flash flooding.
Prior to the storm reaching landfall, businesses were affected late last week.
The Port of New Orleans closed to incoming traffic on Thursday. Allegiant Air and British Airways cancelled flights to and from the Louis Armstrong Airport in New Orleans. Hotels in New Orleans experienced numerous cancellations, including the Chateau LeMoyne French Quarter.
Citing a Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement notice, Bloomberg reported on Thursday that Gulf of Mexico operators had shut-in 1.01 million barrels a day of oil production because of the storm. “Almost 1.24 billion cubic feet a day of natural gas production is also closed,” the outlet said.