NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (LAN'-droo) has declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Lee threatens to bring heavy rain and flooding over the weekend.

 

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AP Photo/Sun Herald, Drew Tart

Brown pelicans pearched on an old pier in Gulfport, Miss. face into the wind generated by Tropical Storm Lee as it approaches south Mississippi on Friday. Gov. Haley Barbour as issued a state of emergency for coastal regions of the state due to the chance of severe flooding from the storm.


Landrieu says the declaration will allow city agencies to more quickly make preparations for Lee's arrival. He advised residents to do the same.

 

The tropical storm formed around midday Friday south of the central Louisiana coast. Forecasters say it should move ashore over the weekend and could generate rainfall of up to 20 inches.