Heavy rainfall swamps roads in southern Louisiana causing flash flooding
Tropical downpours continue to move over southeast and south-central Louisiana on Wednesday morning where 2-3 inches of rain have already fallen. Lafayette Parish schools are closed after flooding on roads made conditions impassable.
Flash Flood Warning for southern Louisiana as tropical downpours douse Gulf Coast
Parts of Lafayette, St. Landry and Acadia parishes in Louisiana are included in a Flash Flood Warning on Wednesday morning where up to 5 inches of rainfall is possible. Local flooding has been reported by Lafayette police and local officials.
LAFAYETTE, La. – A deluge of tropical rain Wednesday morning created a soggy and dangerous commute for some in southern Louisiana, where flooding was ongoing.
The National Weather Service in Lake Charles issued a Flash Flood Warning for St. Landry Parish, central Lafayette Parish, eastern Acadia Parish and northwestern St. Martin Parish that is expected to continue through Wednesday morning.
Rainfall between 2 and 3 inches had already fallen across southeast and central Louisiana and an additional 2 inches are possible in the flash flooding area.
The Lafayette Police Department warned that some roads are impassable due to flooding. Ambassador Caffery from Eraste Landry to Kaliste Saloom was impassable as of Wednesday morning.
"The roadway can’t be shut down due to the length but motorists are advised to seek alternate routes," police said.
Flooding in south Lafayette, Louisiana on Nov. 13, 2024 during a Flash Flood Warning. (@mars1of12/X / FOX Weather)
Water flooded a south Lafayette neighborhood on Wednesday with water approaching homes and entering garages, according to resident Tammi Win.
Win said the water started to recede late Wednesday morning.
Flooding in Lafayette, Louisiana on Nov. 13, 2024.
Photos shared with FOX Weather by Michael Lafleur show flooding on the road to drive to a Lafayette Parish school on Wednesday morning.
"We had to drive in almost a river to school today," he wrote. "Students are soaked!"
Flooding in Lafayette, Louisiana on Nov. 13, 2024. (@MICHAELLAF39716/X)
Lafayette Parish School System was closed soon after flash flooding began around some campuses, the LPSS said in a statement.
"The safety of our students and staff is, and will always be, my top priority. The severity of this morning’s weather event caught us all by surprise. We anticipated rain, but not the volume and intensity in which it fell within such a short timeframe," Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr. said. "Please be assured that our leadership team acted swiftly to assess the situation and prioritize student safety. Each crisis presents an opportunity for learning, and we will implement these lessons to strengthen future responses."
The school system said at least nine schools reported water intrusion but no severe damage was found yet.
A Flood Warning continues for Louisiana's Clacasieu River near Oberlin, which remains above 16 feet – 3 feet above flood stage, according to the NWS in Lake Charles.