Slow-moving Tropical Storm Lee strengthened as it lumbered toward the Louisiana coast on Saturday, bringing torrential rains that will put the flood defenses of low-lying New Orleans to the test. The storm is expected to reach the Louisiana coast later on Saturday and bring up to 20 inches (51 cm) of rain to southeast Louisiana over the next few days, including to New Orleans, which was battered by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the US National Hurricane Center said. The center of Lee was 45 miles (75 km) southwest of Morgan City, with maximum winds of 60 miles per hour (95 kph), the hurricane center said. Lee’s winds were expected to stay below the 74 mph (119 kph) threshold of hurricane strength. The city’s extensive levee system is capable of processing about one inch (2.5 cm) of rainfall per hour, but the storm’s slow-moving nature could bring challenges, officials said.
EVACUATIONS: Low-lying parishes around New Orleans saw rising waters, which covered some roadways in Plaquemines and St Bernard parishes, but no homes or businesses were threatened.