Flooding Rains Happening Over Acadiana This Morning
(KMDL-FM) The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles has issued a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for several parishes in Acadiana. A large thunderstorm complex has been producing flooding rains over the area for the past several hours.
What Acadiana Towns Could Experience Flooding This Morning?
The National Weather Service says residents of Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin, and Vermilion parishes should be cognizant of potential high water situations that could change rapidly as repeated heavy rains inundate the area.
According to the NWS Warning, these communities, Lafayette, New Iberia, Abbeville, Breaux Bridge, St. Martinville, Broussard, Youngsville, Erath, Delcambre, Maurice, Cade, Coteau, Acadiana Regional Airport, Jefferson Island, Parks, and Milton could experience flash flooding over the next several hours.
The image you see above is from the National Weather Service Radar site out of Lake Charles. The areas of showers and storms you see indicated above have been slowly moving over the warned area since just before midnight last night.
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Weather Service observers noted that between one and two inches of rain have already fallen over the warned area. Doppler Radar estimates suggest that an additional one to three inches of rain is possible.
What's the Difference Between a Flash Flood Watch and Flash Flood Warning?
A Flash Flood Watch has also been posted for much of South Louisiana. The difference between a "Flood Watch" and a "Flood Warning" is very similar to the differences many of you already understand regarding tornadoes. A "watch" means a flood is possible across the forecast area. A "warning" means flooding is imminent or ongoing in the forecast area.
As of now, the Flood Warning will remain in effect for the parishes listed above until just after 6 this morning. However, that could be extended in time or to include more of southern Louisiana as forecasters monitor conditions across the region.
The outlook for the next several days does not indicate the I-10 corridor will see a break in the heavy rain potential. Here's the outlook in graphic form, thanks to the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles.
As you can see, rain chances will be higher than our seasonal norms for afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms through the Father's Day Weekend and into early next week.
Once you've downloaded and installed the app, we suggest you go to "Settings" and turn on "Alerts" for Weather and Breaking News to make sure the latest weather on potential life-threatening floods is sent directly to your device.
What Roads Are Closed in Acadiana This Morning?
You may also use the App to send pictures of flooding, high water, or other weather-related storm damage directly to our studios. But please, only do so if you can snap the photo from a place of safety.
We are currently monitoring road conditions via our local parish sheriff's departments and the Louisiana State Police. This is a developing story. Please check back with us often during the course of the day for any updates, changes, or additional watches or warnings.
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