Tropical Storm Marco--expected to strengthen to a category one hurricane--is now tracking to the east, with impacts in New Orleans likely Monday, including heavy rain, coastal flooding, and strong winds. Following Marco, Tropical Storm Laura is currently forecast to significantly impact our area Wednesday and Thursday with potentially major coastal flooding, damaging winds, and heavy rain.

The most recent forecast update now shows Tropical Storm Marco tracking further north, meaning the New Orleans region could see back-to-back impacts from both Marco and Laura next week. Coastal flooding, heavy rain, and damaging winds will be possible depending on the tracks and intensities of the two systems, with Marco arriving as early as Monday and Laura currently expected Wednesday and Thursday. Residents are encouraged to stock up on emergency supplies for at least five days.

Tropical Storm Laura is expected to continue moving west-northwest across Puerto Rico and Hispaniola through tonight and eventually reach the southeast Gulf Monday night. Laura is then expected to reach hurricane status Tuesday night while moving northwest across the north central Gulf before making landfall on the Louisiana coast Wednesday. Some impacts are likely locally from Laura, but there is a great deal of uncertainty due to several factors prior to the storm's arrival. Stay tuned for the latest advisories and statements through the weekend. 

Mayor LaToya Cantrell today issued an emergency proclamation due to Tropical Storm Laura and Tropical Depression Fourteen, which are expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico in the next few days.

The emergency proclamation can be found here.

Text LAURA to 888777 for updates. Read the news release here, and, click here for more news updates.

The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is monitoring Tropical Storm Laura and Tropical Depression Fourteen, which are expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend. 

The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans is making preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Laura and Tropical Depression 14.

One constant-duty pump is out-of-service, but these are smaller units used to regulate groundwater in canals and are not large enough to be critical during a flood fight.