The eye of Hurricane Barry is due to hit land imminently, as Louisiana is under a state of emergency and residents who remain in the region brace for impact. Powerful winds and whipping rain have already lashed the Gulf Coast, with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasting up to 25 inches (60cm) of rain accumulation in parts.
The last official public advisory from NOAA said the storm was packing winds of 70mph (115km/h).
This is expected to increase to 74pmh, the classification for a Category 1 hurricane, imminently.
The storm is bringing back traumatic memories for the city of New Orleans, devastated by Hurricane Katrina 14 years ago.
Hurricane Barry will be the first real test of flood defences in New Orleans since the horrific Katrina killed more than 1,800.
Which flights have been cancelled?
Airlines are cancelling flights to and from New Orleans today as Barry creeps ever closer to Louisiana.
Here’s a list of flight cancellations at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport:
- Alaska Airlines: Flights to and from Seattle were cancelled.
- American Airlines: All outbound flights were cancelled.
- British Airways: Flights to and from New Orleans were cancelled. Flights will resume on Monday.
- Copa Airlines: Flights to and from New Orleans were cancelled.
- Delta Air Lines: All flights to and from New Orleans were cancelled
- Frontier Airlines: All flights to and from New Orleans were cancelled.
- cancelledAirways: All flights to and from New Orleans were cancelled.
- Southwest Airlines: All flights to and from New Orleans were cancelled.
- Spirit Airlines: All flights to and from New Orleans were cancelled.
- United Airlines: Nine flights were cancelled.
Some airlines are currently offering options to change flights to and from New Orleans International Airport.
Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for flight updates before heading to the airport.
Where is Barry now?
According to the most recent NOAA update, the storm is currently grinding into the Gulf Coast, 50 miles (80km) southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.
On its current track, the centre of the storm will make landfall along the south-central Louisiana coast in just hours.
The storm is moving northwest at 5mph (8km/h).
After landfall, Barry is expected to churn slowly northward through the Mississippi Valley through Sunday night.
The outer bands of the storm are already bringing devastating winds and rainfall to the region.
NOAA is warning of life-threatening storm surge, prolonged rain, heavy winds and tornadoes.
Those in the area should keep a close watch on the warnings of local authorities.