Yesterday and overnight many rivers and bayous across South Louisiana have risen to flood stage and they continue to rise.
This has caused more life threatening, catastrophic flooding across South Louisiana overnight; and the flooding continues. Hundreds of homes and businesses have been destroyed, and evacuations are still underway or are still taking place.
In addition, there are road closures still in place – including parts of interstates.
Hundreds of rescue operations have also taken place and there are still many rescue operations under way.
One of these operations is taking place along interstate 12 in the Albany and Holden area where three to four hundred cars and people are stranded due to flooding.
UPDATE ON RIVER FLOODING
Most rivers and bayous have already crested at moderate or major flood stage. More such as the Pearl River will do so during the day today or tomorrow.
There are numerous flood warnings in effect across South Louisiana as a result.
Some of the rivers that crested at major flood stage include the Tchefuncte River near Covington, Louisiana, the Tickfaw River in Holden, Louisiana, and of course the Amite River at Denham Springs, Louisiana which crested at a record level of 46.2 feet and is expected to rise further to 43.3 feet.
The Denham Springs area has truly seen the worst flooding from this event.
The rivers and bayous that have reached flood stage will remain at flood stage through Tuesday or Wednesday of this week; and flood water won’t begin to recede in most areas until tomorrow.
Remember, this is a life threatening event. If you have received and evacuation order you should evacuate.
If you need information regarding evacuation orders, evacuation shelters, evacuation routes, school closures, or road closures check your local government officials.
FLASH FLOOD THREAT
The threat for flash flooding has shifted west and really decreased for the most part as the system causing this is beginning to lift out. There are several scattered areas of moderate to heavy rainfall across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana, though.
The rain will likely persist through the remainder of the day and through this evening producing additional rainfall accumulations of 1 – 3”.
As a result, there are flash flood watches in effect across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana through tonight.
However, the overall threat for flash flooding is low.
We will have another update out on our Facebook page tonight.
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