Major Flooding Americares is responding to Tropical Storm Barry, that made landfall on July 13 after briefly reaching hurricane strength (75 mph winds), bringing torrential rains, storm surge and major flooding along the Gulf Coast. Heavy rains have already caused extensive flooding and authorities are most concerned about the slow-moving storm’s potential for rain (more than 20 inches), swollen rivers and storm surge that could produce dangerous flooding all along the Louisiana Coast and into Mississippi and Alabama as well. A federal emergency was declared for Louisiana. Americares is in contact with our many partners in the region and will respond as needed. The first shipments of bottled water are underway and other shipments of relief supplies are planned. Photo from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.