The National Weather Service said Wednesday afternoon that the big threat from Christobal for the Gulf Coast looks to be heavy rains and coastal flooding.
"With several rounds of heavy rainfall possible even well ahead of the tropical storm, a flood watch has been issued for all of southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi through Tuesday morning," tweeted the NWS New Orleans office. "Local rainfall totals in excess of 10 inches will be possible through the period."
"At least minor coastal flooding will be possible across open shorelines outside of the risk reduction system. Maximum inundation will depend on Cristobal's track and intensity," forecasters added.
After making landfall earlier on Wednesday, Christobal weakened slightly with maximum winds falling to 50 miles per hour as of the 1 p.m. update.
Christobal is forecast to weaken further into a tropical depression while over land before moving back into Gulf waters and regaining tropical storm status.