NEW ORLEANS — Barry continued to soak Louisiana and Mississippi as it weakened to a tropical depression Sunday over Northwestern Louisiana. While the low-lying city of New Orleans appeared to have dodged a catastrophic deluge, the National Hurricane Center warned of tornadoes, gale-force winds and “dangerous, life-threatening flooding.”

“I, for one, am glad the forecast rains and flooding did not materialize,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said during an evening media briefing in Baton Rouge.

“This was a storm, obviously, that could have played out very, very differently. We're thankful that the worst-case scenario did not happen, but we understand here in Louisiana, if nowhere else, that will not always be the case.”

After fears that heavy rainfall would inundate the already swollen Mississippi River, submerging New Orleans, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said it was clear the historic city would be spared.

Although there was relief the storm had not wreaked more damage, the ordeal was a reminder of the vulnerability of New Orleans, half of which is below sea level and reliant on an elaborate system of levees, flood walls, pumps and catch basins.

“It's possible for us to be thankful that Barry turned out largely to be much ado about nothing,” he said. “But that doesn't change the fact that there could be another hurricane next week. And so, we go to bed tonight both thankful that everything was fine and also keenly aware that everything is not fine.”

The storm was expected to move across the northwestern portion of Louisiana and over Arkansas on Sunday night and Monday.