State of emergency declared in Louisiana as storm nears landfall

SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

A state of emergency has been declared in Louisiana as a huge tropical storm nears landfall.

Forecasters say Storm Barry has been gathering speed over the Gulf of Mexico.

Wind speeds have reached to 104km/h and it's feared that they may reach hurricane strength by the time it slams in to the state.

They say flooding from the storm poses a major risk especially to the city of New Orleans.

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