Barry expected to move north Sunday

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Tropical Storm Barry was slowly gaining strength early Sunday as the sluggish storm rumbled toward the Florida Gulf Coast.

At 5 a.m. EDT Sunday, the storm's top winds had reached 45 miles per hour with stronger gusts. Located near latitude 27.8 north and longitude 86.6 west -- 185 miles south of Ft. Walton Beach and 165 miles southwest of Apalachicola -- Barry was inching north-northeast at about 6 miles per hour, expected to turn north later in the day.

A tropical storm warning was in effect from Grand Isle, Louisiana, to Apalachicola, and the National Hurricane Center said that other warnings and watches would likely be necessary east of Apalachicola later Sunday.

BARRY INFORMATION At 5 a.m. EDT Saturday POSITION 27.8 north latitude 86.6 west longitude About 185 miles south of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; 165 miles southeast of Apalachicola MOVEMENT North-northeast near 6 mph, expected to turn north later Sunday WIND SPEED 45 mph with higher gusts TROPICAL STORM WINDS Extend outward up to 90 miles MORE STORIES One dead, 2 missing in eastern Kentucky flooding   Southeast Florida swamped by floods   IN FOCUS: Chad Myers on fighting floods     EXTRA INFORMATION In-Depth: Hurricanes     RESOURCES NOAA:   Watches and warnings   Projected path

Forecasters said that the storm could bring 5 to 10 inches of rain to the Florida Panhandle, and warned that the storm could spawn isolated tornadoes in the area.

A tropical storm watch was lifted late Saturday for coastal areas from west of Grand Isle to Morgan City, Louisiana.

Evacuation precautions

The threat of heavy rain and strong winds from Barry led officials to close camp sites at Grand Isle State Park, about 55 miles south of New Orleans, to avoid congestion during later evacuation.

"We have suspended overnight camping at the park ... to avoid any possibility of congested roads, on the only road coming into Grand Isle, Louisiana, which is LA 1," said park manager Steve Resweber.

"That way the residents won't have to fight too much traffic, slow moving trailers and campers when they decide to leave," he said.

Texaco and Chevron corporations have completed the evacuation of non-essential personnel from their oil rigs off the coast of Louisiana.

"We have safely evacuated 1,303 employees and contractors," said Jeff Moore, Chevron spokesman. He noted that evacuations will continue as the storm approaches the area.

"The drilling rigs that we have in the Gulf have basically ceased operations ... and moved to a safe location," Moore added. The platforms where oil and gas are produced before being sent to shore are still in place, though some are unmanned, he added.

About 500 Red Cross volunteers and staff members were on alert in southeastern Louisiana. "We're just praying that it keeps going northwest," said spokeswoman Casandra Wiltz. "We can handle it all. We've been through Allison, George. So you name it we can handle it. We're ready."

While Barry remained a relatively weak storm, its slow movement meant heavy rains would remain nearly stationary for longer periods. Residents of parts of southeast Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle were cautioned about rising floodwaters as Barry dragged a potential 10 to 20 inches of rain to the region.

Farther south, residents were drying out from the floods brought earlier by Barry's heavy rains.

The water was receding and the sun was out Saturday morning in Stuart, Florida -- about 100 miles north of Miami on the Atlantic Coast -- said Mel Baxley, with Martin County Emergency Operations. The heavy rains were over, and the area was expecting standard afternoon thunderstorms.

Rising water and continued heavy rain flooded scores of homes Friday, a day after more than 8 inches of rain fell in a 10-hour period in Martin County. When streets and homes began filling with water, the county declared a state of emergency.

The local Red Cross chapter opened up a service center Saturday to provide groceries and cleaning supplies to families, said spokeswoman Dana Allen.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived on Saturday to assess the flooding damage, and toured the area with local officials.