Governor’s Office Watching Gulf Storm

The Governor's office is keeping a close eye on the Gulf as a tropical wave that forecasters say could develop makes its way for the Louisiana coast.

The National Hurricane Center says the storm has an 80% chance for tropical development within the next 48 hours. Phil Grigsby at the National Weather Service in Slidell says there are some factors that will likely keep the system from developing into a named storm today.

"We have a lot of strong wind shear over the Gulf of Mexico," Grigsby says. "And we also have some drier air across the southern states associated with a ridge of high pressure. And those two things are kind of hampering its development at this time."

A hurricane hunter plane is checking out the storm this afternoon.

Governor Bobby Jindal says all state agencies are on alert and are ready to assist parishes as needed. The system is expected to bring heavy rain and possible flash flooding to coastal South Louisiana.

A reminder: With all the rain we may get, make sure your storm drains are clean.