This puts it just south of where you are. Is that right now . Reporter yeah it could be. Thats one of the things that were really watching in this area. Depending on the way this storm tracks, we are almost in looking at it, im going to bring in Allison Chinchar to explain this better from her view, but we are in an area that could go other way. Youre watching go either way. Youre watching carefully in terms of rain and at some point winds, but also what it means for this area. This is a staging area for the rescues that are expected to be needed. There are boats and highwater vehicles here. There are a number of buses to bring people to safer areas, to reunite them with friends and family if needed. When the calls come in, they will launch the rescues from here. Of course, depending on what we get in terms of weather, well see if it impacts, in fact, those abilities. A lot of that a long way off. Its the preparation thats so important as we look at this. We know at this hour that near
Live in lafayette, louisiana. You said you were starting, you thought, to feel some of the bands of this coming through . Reporter we definitely are. The rain here is light, but it is certainly kicking up and has been i would say for the last 45 minutes or so. This is just the beginning. We are hearing stressed repeatedly that this is a very slowmoving storm. Thats a reminder not to become complacent. You mentioned tens of thousands without power. Some in new orleans being told to shelter in place. In other areas, there are coloterry, sometimes mandatory, evacuation areas. Not only does the storm bring a significant amount of rainfall, but we are talking about an area that is already saturated. A Mississippi River that is already swollen. For a better look at what is headed our way, i want to bring in cnn meteorologist Allison Chinchar who is tracking this storm. And were starting to feel a little bit of something here. Obviously, far more intense for some other folks just south and ea