Saturday, September 3, 2011

UK banks face US lawsuit over toxic mortgage debt - Telegraph

Lousiana parish orders mandatory evacuation as Lee brings rain | Reuters

(Reuters) - Louisiana's Jefferson Parish has ordered a mandatory evacuation for three towns as Tropical Storm Lee brings heavy rains into the area, a Parish official said on Saturday.

Jefferson Parish Council member Chris Roberts reported the evacuation was ordered for the towns of Lafitte, Crown Point and Barataria.

Heavy rains and tidal surge pushed Bayou Barataria over its banks in the area near New Orleans, and Roberts said if residents in low-lying spots didn't leave now, it could be a couple of days before they were able to get out.

Slow-moving Tropical Storm Lee has strengthened as it lumbers toward the Louisiana coast, bringing torrential rains that will put the flood defenses of low-lying New Orleans to the test.

Tropical Storm Lee Begins Pelting Gulf Coast - TIME

(NEW ORLEANS) — Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Lee were falling in southern Louisiana and pelting the Gulf Coast on Saturday as the storm's center trudged slowly toward land, where businesses were already beginning to suffer on what would normally be a bustling holiday weekend. The storm could bring as many as 20 inches of rain to some areas.

Tropical storm warning flags were flying from Mississippi to Texas and flash flood warnings extended along the Alabama coast into the Florida Panhandle. The storm's slow forward movement means that its rain clouds should have more time to disgorge themselves on any cities in their path.

Tropical Storm Lee gathers strength, pounds Louisiana with rain