What can Baton Rouge expect?

[BigB0882]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here. First I want to thank everyone for their very informative posts regarding the tracks and predictions for Katrina. I have learned a lot.

My question is this: I live in Baton Rouge, which is about 60-70 miles WNW from New Orleans. What kind of storm are we looking at from Baton Rouge's standpoint? Let's work with the assumption of a direct hit on New Orleans. Tropical storm force winds and some strong storms? I can't seem to find any mention of what we can expect, even from our own local news!

I realize it is still kind of early and the track can be off and Baton Rouge could possibly be in more of a direct hit path but all the models seems to really cluster around New Orleans with only 4 or 5 models showing tracks closer to Baton Rouge.

[sfgal]

My parents live in Baton Rouge; during Andrew, an old live oak crashed through their roof and they were out of their home for months. So I would also love to read any answers to your question. Thanks for asking it.

[skysummit]

If the track verifies and hits NOLA, or just west of NOLA, according to WWL in New Orleans, BR will get hurricane force winds. If she goes a little further west, BR could be in the western eyewall.

[LSU2001]

We are currently under an inland hurricane watch so NWS is expecting hurricane force winds for the BR area. The way this thing is strengthening 100mph gusts would not suprise me. BR will probably get minor damage from wind and rain. Trees will be a huge problem and power will likely be out for a while.
Over all not that bad cause we don't have to worry about the surge. However rain could be a huge problem and local flooding of rivers and streams could cause a lot of damage.
Tim

[crazycajuncane]

We are currently under an inland hurricane watch so NWS is expecting hurricane force winds for the BR area. The way this thing is strengthening 100mph gusts would not suprise me. BR will probably get minor damage from wind and rain. Trees will be a huge problem and power will likely be out for a while.
Over all not that bad cause we don't have to worry about the surge. However rain could be a huge problem and local flooding of rivers and streams could cause a lot of damage.
Tim

Great post!

[NEXRAD]

Based on my forecast track, which takes Katrina east of New Orleans and towards Pass Christian, MS, Baton Rouge would receive sustained winds of 30 to 45 mph with gusts possibly to 60 along with heavy rain and squalls. The TPC's track, a little farther west than mine, would support possible wind gusts to hurricane force across Baton Rouge.

Baton Rouge will probably be west of the storm, so there will be an offshore (north wind) flow. This would tend to reduce the winds due to frictional effects and steering flow aloft.

- Jay
KSC FL

[LSU2001]

Thanks Crazycajuncane,
I try to interject reason if possible but this looks like a real bad one.
TIm

[LSU2001]

Just went to Inland hurricane WARNING in BR metro Area according to weather bug
Tim

[CYCLONE MIKE]

Hey Tim, just got home with my generator from Home Depot and checked out the latest sat loops, what a speciman. She is paralleling that 25' line with hardly any northward motion. She does not look like she will begin that turn to the NW any time soon and miss the next few plots to the south. Only a few extra hours to the west and we will be getting a lot more than we bargained for. Does not look good.

[crazycajuncane]

Hey Tim, just got home with my generator from Home Depot and checked out the latest sat loops, what a speciman. She is paralleling that 25' line with hardly any northward motion. She does not look like she will begin that turn to the NW any time soon and miss the next few plots to the south. Only a few extra hours to the west and we will be getting a lot more than we bargained for. Does not look good.

We're not really prepared for anything more than Tropical Storm force winds here. The next few hours will be interesting. I'll be up at 7 am, maybe 4am.... or I might stay up until 7 am lmao!

[LaBreeze]

Going to be a lot more than what I get here in Vermilion Parish on the coast, which is probably going to be a small northerly breeze bringing in dry weather.

[dhweather]

Baton Rouge can also expect 300,000 or more evacuees to pass through
or stay in the area.

[LSU2001]

Let em come it's a whole lot better than where they are now.

My sister-in-law is in cutoff and will not evac. She is inside the protection levee but it is built for a cat 2 or 3 at most. I am really worried about her. Juan flooded the hell out of cutoff according to her and her boyfriend. I can't get her to listen to reason.
Oh well vent over,
TIm

[LSU_Weatherguy]

Got back from a meeting just a little while ago with city leaders. We were told to that we would have 12 to 15hrs of damaging winds and widespread power outages.

[NorthGaWeather]

Based on the 11pm advisory, you can expect tropical storm force winds in 28 hrs. Lasting for about 9 hours.