FFANEW
LAZ038-040-056>070-MSZ077-080-232130-

BULLETIN...IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW ORLEANS LA
1130 AM CDT THU SEP 23 2004

...A FLOOD WATCH FOR FLASH FLOODING HAS BEEN EXPANDED NORTHWARD
   AND EASTWARD TO INCLUDE THE METRO NEW ORLEANS AREA AND PORTIONS
   OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

THE FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT SOUTH OF A LINE FROM BAY SAINT LOUIS TO
PICAYUNE MISSISSIPPI TO HAMMOND TO PIERRE PART AND MORGAN CITY
LOUISIANA. THIS INCLUDES THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS AREA...SLIDELL...
HOUMA AND THIBODAUX.

A LARGE AND SLOW MOVING SWATH OF TROPICAL RAINS NOT ASSOCIATED
WITH TROPICAL STORM IVAN EXTENDED FROM THE CHANDELEUR
ISLANDS TO SOUTHEAST OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND
INTO THE YUCATAN CHANNEL.  RAINS IN THIS BAND WILL BE TORRENTIAL
AT TIMES AND WILL POSE A FLOOD THEAT IF THEY MOVE INTO INLAND
AREAS THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES
ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING IN THE WATCH AREA. IN ADDITION...
A SPIRAL OUTER BAND OF TROPICAL STORM IVAN WAS MOVING INTO LOWER
TERREBONNE PARISH. RAINSHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY TO
INCREASE IN THE REGION BETWEEN THESE TWO BANDING FEATURES.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS RAPIDLY RISING WATER OR FLOODING IS
POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA. IF YOU ARE IN THE WATCH AREA...
CHECK PREPAREDNESS REQUIREMENTS...KEEP INFORMED...AND BE READY FOR
QUICK ACTION IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR IF A WARNING IS ISSUED.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO OR TELEVISION
STATIONS...OR YOUR CABLE TELEVISION PROVIDER FOR LATER STATEMENTS
CONCERNING THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FLASH FLOOD THREAT.

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