WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - City-parish officials in East Baton Rouge Parish warned residents that winds are expected to pick up to tropical or hurricane force speeds shortly after 1 p.m. today.

EBR Mayor-President Kip Holden said the National Weather Service advised them that the winds will seriously pick up around 1:15 p.m., and could spawn tornadoes.

Watches for those conditions have been extended until 7 a.m. Thursday.

Holden advised drivers to stay off the roads entirely during that time, and "batten down the hatches."