Tropical Storm Races Toward Louisiana, Curbing Oil Output
- Barry could turn into hurricane before coming ashore Saturday
- Half of Gulf oil output is shut; New Orleans faces deluge
The Gulf of Mexico on July 10.
Source: GOES/NOAA
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Tropical Storm Barry is barreling toward Louisiana and could hit the coastline as a hurricane by Saturday, causing close to $1 billion in damage and worsening flooding in New Orleans.
The system, which was about 90 miles (145 kilometers) south of the Mississippi River’s mouth as of 8 p.m. New York time, has already curbed about half the energy output in the Gulf of Mexico and helped lift oil prices to a seven-week high. It’s also prompted Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards to declare a state of emergency, while hurricane and tropical storm warnings and watches are in place along the state’s coastline.