Tropical Storm Cristobal, which formed in the western Gulf of Mexico, has crossed the Yucatan Peninsula and is churning northward toward New Orleans. Though not excessively strong at this point, the storm has a broad wind field which will lash the northern Gulf Coast, from Louisiana to the Great Bend of Florida.
Onshore winds, combined with heavy rain, will produce storm surge, rip currents and coastal flooding; the northern and western shores of Lake Pontchartrain appear to be most at risk if Cristobal maintains its current course. Once inland, the storm is forecast to move northward through Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois, spawning tornadoes and dumping heavy rain; areas east of that track may also share its wrath.
Once again, the levees and pumps of New Orleans will likely be tested and the folly of living below sea level may be demonstrated. We can all hope that the storm will weaken and that residents of the northern Gulf Coast will not experience serious flooding in the midst of our viral pandemic.
Onshore winds, combined with heavy rain, will produce storm surge, rip currents and coastal flooding; the northern and western shores of Lake Pontchartrain appear to be most at risk if Cristobal maintains its current course. Once inland, the storm is forecast to move northward through Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois, spawning tornadoes and dumping heavy rain; areas east of that track may also share its wrath.
Once again, the levees and pumps of New Orleans will likely be tested and the folly of living below sea level may be demonstrated. We can all hope that the storm will weaken and that residents of the northern Gulf Coast will not experience serious flooding in the midst of our viral pandemic.
