Weather to put a damper on Mardi Gras

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NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- A forecast for thunderstorms has prompted the cancellation of two Mardi Gras parades slated for Monday evening, a parade official said.

Brian Landry, a spokesman for the Hera and Zeus Krewes, said the the threat of heavy rain and flash flooding weighed heavily in the decision to call of the Monday evening events, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported.

"For the safety and well-being of those traveling to Metairie for the Lundi Gras evening parades, and for the safety of the members of the Krewe of Hera and Krewe of Zeus, the captains of both krewes agree," Landry said. "While we work all year to present a quality parade and have overcome many obstacles this year to parade, the weather creates a hazard for all participants in our processions this year that we can not overcome."

Landry said the inaugural Lundi Fest will still be held, stating at noon local time, with costumed members of both krewes on hand for what he said would be a "scaled down" version of the new event, the newspaper said.