Gretna, Louisiana – Flooding rain and strong storms are set to hammer the New Orleans area Friday, July 18, as a persistent summer system stalls over southeast Louisiana.
According to the National Weather Service, a Flood Watch remains in effect through 1 a.m. Saturday, with multiple rounds of thunderstorms expected throughout Friday. Rainfall rates could reach over an inch per hour at times, especially between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., raising the risk of street flooding across Gretna and greater New Orleans. The chance of precipitation is 90%, and local roads including I-10 and US-90 may see flooding during afternoon travel.
Strong east winds between 10 to 15 mph could also contribute to coastal water pooling and poor drainage, particularly in low-lying parishes. Residents should avoid non-essential travel Friday afternoon, and have backup power and phone chargers ready in case of outages.
Saturday brings a brief break from heavy rain, with highs climbing to 90°F and scattered thunderstorms likely. Expect more sun on Sunday, though afternoon storms return Monday and Tuesday, keeping umbrellas essential. Overnight lows will hover near 78°F, offering little relief from the muggy air.
🔎 5-Day Forecast: Gretna, LA (Friday, July 18 – Wednesday, July 23)
- Friday: Showers and storms likely (90%). High: 87°F. Flood Watch in effect.
- Saturday: Showers and storms after 1 p.m. High: 90°F.
- Sunday: Partly sunny with scattered p.m. storms. High: 91°F.
- Monday: Mostly sunny. Chance of storms in afternoon. High: 92°F.
- Tuesday: Slight chance of showers. High: 90°F. Partly cloudy overnight.
- Wednesday: Storms likely, becoming mostly sunny. High: 92°F.
