The First Potential Hurricane of 2019 Is Developing — Here’s What You Need to Know (Video)

Hurricane season is here, and the second named storm system of the year is on a path to Louisiana's coast. Widespread flooding has already been reported in New Orleans.

NOAA

The National Hurricane Center predicts that Tropical Storm Barry will develop into a hurricane on Saturday, The Washington Post reports. Ahead of that, a tropical storm watch and a storm surge watch have been issued for the coast.

11 AM EDT July 10: Here are the Key Messages for Potential Tropical Cyclone #Two. A tropical storm and storm surge watch has been issued for a portion of the Louisiana coast. For more see https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB and https://t.co/SiZo8ohZMN pic.twitter.com/RgljWGk3Zy

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) July 10, 2019

While it’s too early to know how intense the system could get or exactly where it will strike, residents of Louisiana and northeast Texas should be prepared for up to 18 inches of rain, and the potential storm surges that accompany a tropical system.

Even those areas not directly impacted, including areas of Alabama and Florida, as well as more inland areas of Louisiana and Texas, should be prepared for several inches of rain.

Rain and flooding in the affected areas can be expected through the weekend.