Emergency Alert: New Orleans Hit by Severe Thunderstorms, Flash Floods

New Orleans and its surrounding areas were hit by severe weather conditions on Thursday, as the region experienced heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms and flash floods.

The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings for the New Orleans metro area just before noon.

The severe thunderstorm warning, effective until 11:45 a.m., covered several areas including Kenner, Metairie, Marrero, Chalmette, Violet, Waggaman, and Bell Chasse.

Forecasters cautioned about the possibility of winds reaching up to 60 mph and penny-sized hail in these areas. Simultaneously, the flash flood warning, set to expire at 1:15 p.m., encompassed New Orleans, Marrero, Waggaman, Kenner, Ama, Luling, and Hahnville.

Radar readings at 11 a.m. indicated heavy showers over the New Orleans metro area. Some weather and pumping stations in Uptown had already recorded over 2 inches of rainfall by 11:30 a.m. Due to the severity of the weather, neutral ground parking was permitted in New Orleans until 6 p.m. on Thursday.

This recent weather event is part of a larger pattern affecting Louisiana, with more potentially severe storms expected over the weekend. High winds and heavy rains could impact much of the state in the coming days.

Source: NOLA.com