Fat Tuesday to get off to a wet and wild start as rain hits New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Those flocking to New Orleans can expect a wet Mardi Gras, but the city's biggest free show might not be the washout that once was predicted.

National Weather Service forecaster Freddie Zeigler says there's an 80 percent chance of rain Tuesday, with showers likely hitting in the pre-dawn hours along Louisiana's coast and moving into the metro area around sunrise.

Fat Tuesday kicks off with the parades of Zulu, which rolls at 8 a.m., followed by Rex two hours later.

Still, rain or shine, many revelers planned to hit the streets early Tuesday morning.

Carly Gerhard and a friend drove in from Philadelphia over the weekend. They plan to stake out a spot early along the parade route to experience her first Mardi Gras.