Dangerous thunderstorm moving into area

A major, slow-moving thunderstorm is moving into the New Orleans region, according to a bulletin just issued by the National Weather Service.

The storm system, currently about two miles to the northwest of the city and moving east at 10 miles per hour, is packing frequent lightning, dime-sized hailstones, and wind gusts near 40 miles per hour. Winds of that intensity can down tree limbs and blow unsecured objects around.

The East Bank of Jefferson Parish, upper St. Bernard Parish, and much of New Orleans will feel the storm's effects most directly, according to the Weather Service.