New Orleans was bracing for heavy rain as a storm strengthened Friday in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Centre in Miami upgraded a tropical depression in the gulf to Tropical Storm Lee, which could bring up to 50 centimeters of rain in some areas. The storm was expected to arrive over the weekend in Louisiana. Although the storm had 65 kilometre per hour winds, the main threat was expected to come from heavy rain. Tropical storm warnings were in place for New Orleans and surrounding areas, including the neighboring states of Mississippi and Texas, the centre was quoted as saying by the German Press Agency "DPA". Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal had already issued a state of emergency to free up money and resources and called on residents to prepare for the storm and possible flash floods.
