Tropical Storm Lee's projected path (CF News 13)

According to the Los Angeles Times, heavy flooding in southern Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi are expected this weekend due to the possibility of up to 20 inches of rain. 

In Louisiana and Mississippi, states of emergency have been declared. Compared to Hurricane Irene, however, only voluntary evacuations are in order for some low-lying areas. 

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu told residents in a news conference, “It’s not a time to panic. It’s time to prepare for what could occur.” 

According to the Wall Street Journal, Tropical Storm Lee has forced oil and gas producers to shut down at least half of the oil production and parts of the natural-gas output in the Gulf Friday. 

Tropical Storm Lee hit Louisiana a week after Hurricane Irene slammed the east coast causing millions of residents to lose power and be evacuated from their homes. Hurricane Katia, currently forming in the Atlantic Ocean, has the possibility to reach parts of the east coast including New Jersey as early as the end of next week. According to New Jersey’s “The Star Ledger,” it is too early to predict when the storm will arrive and how strong it has the potential to become.

Reach writer Mike Vulpo here