State officials are using the Water Institute of the Gulf’s river models to help plan emergency operations ahead of Tropical Storm Barry.
It’s a tool Louisiana didn’t have at its disposal during prior, significant storms, WAFB-TV reports.
“It allows the public, particularly local parishes in the cone of the storm, to understand the risk that they face,” Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority Chip Kline said. “When you’re able to overlay these model runs and the inundation impacts, people on the ground will see for themselves what the impact will be, including storm level and surge anticipated in a specific area.”
Kline, along with Governor John Bel Edwards, says the storm event coming this weekend could be unlike anything Louisiana has experienced before because of already high river levels.
“There are three ways Louisiana floods: storm surge, high river, and rain,” Edwards said. “We’re going to have all three.”
Kline says the models present real-time information that can help researchers identify potential areas of concern. Read the full story.
