The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression has developed off the Florida Gulf Coast.
The system has maximum sustained winds of 30mph Sunday afternoon.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Florida Panhandle.
“Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case in the next 36 to 48 hours,” the NHC advised.
Forecaster expect to issue additional watches over the next day or two.
“The depression is moving toward the north-northwest near 1 mph… continued slow northwestward or north-northwestward motion is expected during the next day or two.”
The forecast track calls for the depression to move near or along the northern Gulf Coast during the next several days.
“Gradual strengthening is forecast, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm tonight or on Monday.”
Rain is the biggest threat.
“The tropical depression is expected to produce rainfall
amounts of 2 to 4 inches with locally higher totals around 8 inches
through Thursday… from western Florida to southern portions of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.”
There is a threat for flash flooding.
The city of New Orleans is making sandbags available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday while supplies last. Sandbags will be issued at the following sites:
District A Site:
- Conrad Park, 3400 Hamilton Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
District B Site:
- YMCA Dryades, 2220 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
District C Site :
- Morris FX Jeff (Behrman Stadium) front parking lot, 2529 General Meyer Ave, New Orleans, LA 70114
District D Sites:
- George Washington Carver High School, 3059 Carver Rams Way, New Orleans, LA 70126
- St Raymond & St. Leo The Great Catholic Church, 2916 Paris Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119
District E Sites:
- Upper Room Bible Church, 8600 Lake Forest Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127
- Sanchez Multi-Service Center, 1616 Fats Domino Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117
