Flood Warnings Posted as Morning Storms Rumble Across Louisiana

As predicted showers and strong thunderstorms moved into Louisiana late yesterday and now, early this morning, they are pushing their way across the state. Many Louisiana communities have reported strong storms in the nighttime hours. Many of those storms have produced frequent lightning, gusty winds, and very heavy rainfall.

As of 1:30 this morning, the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles issued a Flash Flood Warning for persons in South Central St Landry Parish, Lafayette Parish, West Central St Martin Parish, Acadia Parish, East Central Jefferson Davis Parish, and Northwestern Vermilion Parish.

Doppler radar estimates suggest that the current round of storms that is moving through the area are producing rainfall rates of .75 inches to 1.5 inches an hour. An additional one to three inches of rainfall is expected to fall across the warned area over the next several hours.

There have been reports of urban street flooding in some communities and portions of Ambassador Caffery Parkway in Lafayette, Louisiana were reported to be covered in water. And there were reports of several stalled vehicles on that and other roadways early this morning.

The Flash Flood Warning is set to expire at 4:45 this morning. Rain chances during the day on Friday will be significantly lower than they were for the overnight hours. But, another round of rain and storms is expected to push into the area by early this evening.

As of now, the best guess on the timing of tonight's stronger storms will be between 9 pm and midnight. Remember, that timing is subject to change so keep that in mind. Showers are expected to remain across the area for much of Saturday morning but rain chances will decrease in the afternoon hours.

The forecast for Sunday calls for cloudy skies and cool temperatures.