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Major Flood Warning Issued for New Orleans Ahead of Developing Tropical Storm

July 10, 2019
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4 min read
US-WEATHER-STORM
Major Flood Warning Issued for New Orleans Ahead of Developing Tropical Storm
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Although still just a disorganized cluster of storms, a storm system in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to develop into a tropical storm late Wednesday or early Thursday. Prediction models vary on the strength and landfall of the soon-to-be Tropical Storm Barry, but it is expected to cause significant flooding across the Gulf Coast this week and into the weekend. And the effects are already beginning. On Wednesday morning, New Orleans residents faced a flash flood emergency, and the Mississippi River is expected to crest near the top of the city's levee system.

The National Hurricane Center issued a statement Wednesday morning that the "system could produce storm surge and tropical- storm- or hurricane-force winds across portions of the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Upper Texas coasts later this week." The NHC's forecast, in the image below, shows the tropical storm warning area in yellow.

An Air Force Reserve Unit reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the storm Wednesday afternoon to help determine if the storm has met the threshold to be upgraded to a tropical depression or tropical storm.

New Orleans is already getting pounded with rain ahead of the storm. On Wednesday morning, the city was hit by severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Approximately 4-6 inches of rain have fallen across the city in a short amount of time, causing widespread street flooding. A "flash flood emergency" was issued for the city at 10:02am ET with the National Weather Service issuing the following warning:



THIS IS A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR NEW ORLEANS. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!

As of the latest forecast issued Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service forecasts that the Mississippi River will climb four feet from its current levels. That will take the river levels up to the top of the 20-foot levees protecting the city, meaning that New Orleans is forecast to be dangerously close to flooding. According to historical measurements, the Mississippi River hasn't exceeded the 20-foot level at this measurement point since 1927, and it hasn't topped 19 feet since 1950.

Flooding is already happening, in fact, and Nola.com posted on Wednesday a video showing people kayaking on Magazine Street:

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Ahead of the storm's development and forecast landfall this weekend, Southwest has already issued a travel waiver. Southwest travelers already have the option of cancelling flights for a full refund up just before departure. However, last-minute airfares are typically much more expensive. So, Southwest's waiver lets travelers move their original flights by up to 14 days if they're booked to travel to, from or through a covered airport:

  • Travel dates: Tuesday, July 9 - Saturday, July 13
  • Covered airports: New Orleans (MSY), Panama City Beach (ECP) and Pensacola (PNS)
  • Customers who are holding reservations to/from/through the cities listed above on the corresponding dates, may rebook in the original class of service or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs and in accordance with Southwest's accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge.
  • Customers who purchased their itinerary via Southwest.com or our mobile app are eligible to reschedule their travel plans online or from their mobile device. Customers who did not purchase a ticket via Southwest.com can call 1-800-435-9792 to speak with a Customer Representative.

No waivers have been issued (yet) from Alaska, Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit, Sun Country or United. However, as the storm develops, we can expect to see more airlines issue weather waivers to allow flexible travelers to rebook their flights around the storm.

Featured image by AFP/Getty Images

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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