As of 7 p.m. Sunday evening, Tropical Depression Fay stalled over Mississippi.
Fay, anticipated to arrive in Baton Rouge late Sunday, is bringing rain to the city from her position between New Orleans and Jackson, Miss. The depression could bring between two and six inches of rain with some local areas getting as much as 10 inches.
“This thing is likely to hang in there through tomorrow for us,” said Barry Keim, Louisiana state climatologist. “The storm is gradually weakening.”
Keim suggested commuters allow themselves plenty of time to get to class as current weather conditions could be a disruption.
Tropical Depression Fay is predicted to leave a flash flood watch in its stead, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Despite predictions the storm will be near Baton Rouge by 7:00 a.m. Monday, it’s unlikely the first day of classes will be canceled, said Kristine Calongne, University spokeswoman. The decision to cancel classes because of tropical disturbances are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Saturday afternoon Fay was over the Florida Panhandle with Tropical Storm Warnings in effect for parts of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Jay Grymes, University climatologist and WAFB chief meteorologist, said the storm could stall over southern Louisiana, but he said it was only one of many possibilities and would only bring an excess of rain. He said the storm will likely result in only 2 to 4 inches of “nuisance” rain.
“Campus drainage is usually capable of handling the kinds of rains we think Fay will deliver over the next couple of days,” he said. “I would say it’s more of a wet spell, a bit of an annoyance.”
Grymes named the curve on Burbank Drive between Nicholson Drive and West Parker Boulevard and the underpass on Acadian Throughway near Perkins Road as places likely to flood.
“Monday looks like it could be a wet day to start the semester,” he said, and he recommended students ready themselves with umbrellas.
The final decision to cancel school is a mandate from the Office of the Chancellor, which has procedures in place, said Helen Haire, LSU Police Department major.
“Everything from making sure all the University’s generators have fuel topped off down to the most minute things, there are procedures,” she said.
The Daily Reveille will continue to update its Web site as the situation progresses.
—-Contact Lindsey Meaux at [email protected]