Barry on a Slow Bye-Bye...

Before I talk about Barry, let me first vent on the network newscasters who totally over hyped this storm.  I've had relatives in NW Indiana and Pennsylvania wondering how bad we (New Orleans) have been flooded?  Sure the networks showed flooding video, but they made it seem like the levees didn't protect us.  The canal at Myrtle Grove overflowed.  So?  That happens with any storm.  ABC had their meteorologist on the Mandeville Lakefront showing water in buildings.  Duh?   Happens all the time.  Inside the Levee system...NOTHING.  We are fine.  Shame on the networks for not being clearer.  Sure areas outside the Levee protection did get water and suffered damages, but let me make it perfectly clear to the World...New Orleans may be wet & damp now, but we will be back open for business tomorrow.   The risk reduction system worked as designed.   Bravo the Army Corps of Engineers!

Now back to Barry.  His center is still ill defined just west of Lafayette moving farther inland.  There still is a band of heavy rains rotating around the south side heading northward between Lafayette and Baton Rouge.  That will be where the heaviest rain totals fall.  Locally, the computer models were less than accurate.  We still could get under some banding later tonight and on Sunday, but the forecast for 10-15" was overdone,  Easy to Monday morning quarterback.  In fact, the heaviest rains today fell along the MS/AL coast with Mobile getting 3-4+".   The lesson to take from this storm is this.  Computer models are very accurate at forecasting future tracks even if the timing is off some.  Models are not so good with weaker storms regarding most anything else and local forecasters should always make that clear.  I thought NHC (National Hurricane Center) was terrific in conveying the UNCERTAINTY of their forecast.  The storm surge predictions proved right on, but I love when they state...'confidence in the track forecast is low/not very high."   We all need to heed that.  Local broadcasters need to relay that lack of confidence by NHC when they keep showing the models like they were "gospel".  I applaud all the local broadcasters for their long hours of work.   They have served our community well.   I'll let you know tomorrow which channel had the most viewers & is truly Louisiana's new News Leader. (hint FOX 8)  For tonight, water levels will remain high, light rain continues with some gusty winds, but over all, the weather is slowly getting back to normal and you know that means back to 90+ degree heat.   The 70s & low 80s felt delightful despite the high humidity.  Stay tuned!