The National Weather Service has issued an alert for New Orleans East and upper St. Bernard Parish, due to a cluster of strong, slow-moving thunderstorms affecting the area.
The storms, located northeast of Chalmette, are moving to the northeast at approximately 5 mph, and packing frequent lightning and wind gusts up to 35 to 45 mph, according to the Weather Service.
Wind gusts of that intensity can down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects, and the Weather Service advises people in the affected area should take shelter indoors until the storms have passed. When indoors, people should stay away from windows and doors, avoid using telephones unless in an emergency, and unplug unnecessary electrical appliances.