Louisiana Declares A State Of Emergency As It Braces For This Tropical Storm

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Image: Fox

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal Thursday declared a state of emergency as a tropical storm approaches the region bringing up to 20 inches pf rain.

According to CBS, the National Hurricane Center says the system will drop 10 to 15 inches of rain through southern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama through Sunday with up to 20 inches in some areas.

Oil rigs that generate about 80,000 barrels a day in the Gulf are being evacuated, which caused a slight increase in the cost of a barrel of crude by the time markets closed Thursday.

The storm will be called Lee or Maria if it reaches wind speeds of 39-mph.

While the rain could be good news for drought-stricken Texas, the prolonged low-pressure system could put tremendous pressure on Louisiana levees.

Meanwhile Katia temporarily lost some strength and weakened down to a tropical storm, though it's expected to pick up strength again in the coming days.

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Hurricane Katia Could Be A Category 3 Storm By Sunday

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Forming in the same general weather patterns that guided Irene's course up the U.S. Eastern seaboard, Tropical Storm Katia was officially named Tuesday and looks to be headed toward Puerto Rico.

According to the National Weather Service Katia's path is slightly north of Irene's and should put it northeast of Puerto Rico by Sunday.

Currently about 535 miles southwest of the Cape Verde Islands Katia's moving quickly with sustained 40 mph winds and according to the National Hurricane Center could be a powerful Category 3 hurricane by this weekend (via CBS Tampa).

The Center reports Katia will have hurricane intensity by late Wednesday or early Thursday.

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Rebels Storm Qaddafi's Compound In Tripoli

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Reuters reports Libyan rebels are firing into air inside the Qaddafi compound in Bab al-Aziziya in celebration.

A Russian official says he spoke to Qaddafi by phone and that he says he is in Tripoli and will fight to the end, according to Reuters.

Libyan rebels have gained control of much of Tripoli, but loyalist units are digging in and fighting back.

While many believe the fall of Qaddafi is close, he remains at large and his son Saif al-Islam made a surprise appearance at the Rixos hotel Tuesday taking journalists on a tour of the city.

Following the tour he spoke to loyalists throughout Tripoli.

Meantime rebels are rounding up suspected loyalists causing endless anxiety to Tripoli residents.

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