Trump declares state of emergency in New Orleans ahead of Barry’s impact

US President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency for New Orleans ahead of Tropical Storm Barry’s impact.

The order frees up more federal resources and will help to coordinate the response to the looming disaster.

The National Hurricane Center issued a new advisory at 4 a.m. Central (5 a.m. Eastern) showing little change in the predicted path or potency of the storm, which is expected to inundate parts of Louisiana with severe flooding.

The center said the storm was moving "toward the west-northwest near 5 mph. A track toward the northwest is expected to begin later today, followed by a turn toward the north on Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Barry will be near or over the central or southeastern coast of Louisiana tonight or Saturday, and then move inland into the Lower Mississippi Valley on Sunday."

Trump on Thursday issued a national disaster declaration, which will allow federal agencies to participate in emergency relief efforts, in response to a request by Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards.

"Thank you President Trump for quickly responding to my request... We appreciate the support of the White House and our federal partners as we continue our unprecedented flood fight," the governor said in a tweet Thursday.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of around at 50 mph, with higher gusts. Strengthening was expected and Barry could become a hurricane late Friday or early Saturday.

Barry's biggest threat will be rain, with 10-20 inches expected to fall in southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi. Some areas could see up to 25 inches of rain, the National Hurricane Center said.

The incoming storm has evoked memories of Hurricane Katrina, the costliest and deadliest hurricane in US history, which submerged about 80 percent of New Orleans as the city's flood defenses gave way.

Katrina also pounded other parts of Louisiana as well as Mississippi and Alabama, leading to about 1,800 deaths and more than $150 billion in damage.