Multiple parishes are monitoring heavy rainfall this week and the possibility for flash flooding. The National Weather Service (NWS) in New Orleans is currently predicting southeast Louisiana could see 4-6” of additional rainfall through Friday evening, with lower totals in coastal southeast Louisiana.
MORE: Some school and parish offices closed Thursday
Localized rainfall amounts could be much higher where rain bands repeatedly move across the same areas, and flash flood risks are possible. The NWS warns that some locations across the state could see between 10 and 20 inches of rainfall before the event ends.
The tropical system in the Gulf has officially been upgraded and named Tropical Storm Arthur as of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the NWS. Arthur is not expected to strength much more before its anticipated landfall. Once its center is over land, it’s expected to dissipate by tonight or early Thursday.
“This is primarily a flooding threat rather than a wind threat,” NWS forecasters said, as deep tropical moisture continues streaming into Texas, Louisiana and parts of Mississippi.
State Climatologist Jay Grymes expects Thursday to be the rainiest day of the week for the Baton Rouge Metro area. He also hopes Arthur will help people get ready for the season ahead. “I’m almost happy to have Arthur come into Louisiana this early in the season. It’ll wake people up,” he said. “We have short-term memories, and some folks have gotten a little complacent. And then all of this chatter about El Nino cutting down storm activity I think has gotten into some people’s minds. This ought to put an end to that.”
“This is a good time to just review and refresh your home, your family, your business, of hurricane plans,” he continued. “Let’s just treat this like any other hurricane season, which means you need to be prepared now.”
As more rain rolls through, take precautions when driving in stormy weather which can reduce visibility, and do not cross water-covered roadways. Our area has a moderate chance of flash flooding through Thursday morning, according to NWS predictions.
Many parishes in our area began preparing for potential flooding with sandbag locations and notices on Tuesday. Information will be updated as it becomes available.
MORE: Tropical Storm Arthur officially named with expected landfall tonight
Ascension Parish
The parish’s “storm team,” a group of parish employees with responsibilities connected to storms and flooding, is active and the head of the Office of Emergency Preparedness is routinely in touch with state counterparts. Pumping stations are manned and “everything is fine,” parish spokeswoman Pam Matassa said.
Ascension Parish residents can sign up for Everbridge, a community notification system the parish uses, to make sure they get alerts related to the weather. Residents can sign up for the service at this link.
Assumption Parish
Waste Depot, Assumption’s bulky waste provider, provided the following message:
Due to the forecasted inclement weather and the potential for flooding in our service areas, we have made the decision to reschedule our pickup routes originally planned for Wednesday and Thursday.
The Wednesday route will be completed on Monday, and the Thursday route will be completed on Tuesday of next week.
This does not pertain to residential garbage collection.
East Baton Rouge Parish
Parish officials have assessed emergency resources and are prepared to protect lives and property. Personnel stand ready to assist and support the community as weather conditions evolve.
“Public safety is our top priority,” said Mayor-President Sid Edwards. “City-Parish teams are taking every precaution to make sure our residents are safe, and I urge everyone to work with them on this effort. Please be alert on the roads, take steps to prepare your household, and stay tuned for official updates.”
Edwards advises EBR residents to stay Red Stick Ready® by monitoring local forecasts, preparing your home and property, and considering flood protection measures in low-lying, flood-prone areas.
Residents are advised to monitor travel conditions and never drive on flooded streets. Avoid low-lying areas. Flooding can happen quickly during periods of heavy rainfall, making preparedness and situational awareness especially important.
Sandbags are available for residents who need them and can be requested here. You can also follow Red Stick Ready® on social media channels.
Central Mayor Wade Evans said the approximately 4.5 inches of rain Tuesday put “significant stress on our drainage system for a short period of time.” Water backed up into roadside ditches but did not get into homes he said. He asked Central residents who had standing water in their yards Tuesday to sent their address and photos of the water to cocpublicworks@central-la.gov.
Baker Police Chief Carl Dunn is reminding people to avoid Groom Road if possible. This road is under construction for drainage repair, but is still experiencing flooding during moderate rain. He added, “If you drive on a flooded street there is a high chance that your vehicle will flood.”
Iberville Parish
As of 5 a.m., sandbags are available at the locations listed below. According to parish government, there are no immediate flooding concerns in North Plaquemine or White Castle, so no sandbag locations have been established in those areas. Officials will continue monitoring conditions closely and provide updates as needed.
Residents are asked to take only what is needed so that supplies remain available for everyone who needs them. “We encourage everyone to stay weather aware and begin preparations early.”
- St. Gabriel Town Hall
- St. Gabriel Hwy 30 Fire Station
- Corner of Bayou Paul Road/Bayou Paul Lane in St. Gabriel
- Bayou Sorrel Fire Station
- Old Bayou Pigeon Fire Station
- Iberville Parish Maintenance Barn (Closing at 4:15 p.m.)
- Maringouin Maintenance Facility
- Rosedale Old Depot
Livingston Parish
Livingston Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is actively monitoring the storm and providing updates to social media, website, and the Livingston Parish Government App, which can send Emergency Alerts. To download the app, visit the App Store or Google Play and search “Livingston Parish Government.”
Sand and bags available at:
- Station 1: 29758 S. Palmetto Street, Walker, LA 70785
- Station3: 34893 LA Hwy 1019, Denham Springs, LA 70706
- Station 5: 18525 Clio Street, Denham Springs, LA 70726
- Station 9: 9100 Hillon Hood Road, Denham Springs, LA 70726
Livingston Parish Public Works crews were out today surveying ditches and clearing large debris piles that could block drainage and create flooding issues.
The parish is asking residents to secure loose items, check your own ditches and culverts, and make sure catch basins are clear of leaves, trash, limbs, and other debris. In addition, if you see a drainage issue, blocked culvert, fallen tree, or anything that needs assistance from Livingston Parish Government, please contact the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) so that personnel can be dispatched quickly.
“The sand’s out, the bags are out, the fire stations are all on ‘ready, set, go.’ We’ve had conversations with all the fire chiefs, and really, we’re just sitting here waiting to see what the next step is,” said Chris Anderson, director of Livingston Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (LOHSEP).
Pointe Coupee Parish
Sandbag locations:
- Innis Fire Station
- Legonier Fire Station
- Morganza Fire Station
- Fire District 5 Station
- Parish Road Barn on Morganza Highway
- Waterloo Fire Station
- False River Fire Station
- Rougon Fire Station
- Fordoche Fire Station
- Livonia Town Hall
- Lottie Fire Station
- Callaway Road Fire Station
Residents must bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags.
St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish government will have high-water vehicles and boats stationed around the parish. Officials recommended that people who live in low-lying areas prone to flooding carefully monitor river levels and get out before flooding becomes dangerous.
Sandbag locations:
- Airport Road Public Works Barn (34783 Grantham College Drive, Slidell)
- St. Tammany Parish Government Complex (21410 Koop Drive, Mandeville)
- St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds (1301 N. Florida Street, Covington)
- Fritchie Public Works Barn (63119 LA 1090, Pearl River)
Residents should bring your their own shovels. Assistance to those in need is available by calling (985) 898-2557.
Tangipahoa Parish
Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller said self-serve sandbags will be available at the following locations:
- 8th Ward Fire Department on LA 445
- 8th Ward Fire Station on LA 22 in Bedico
- Ponchatoula East Station 4 at the corner of Sandhill Cemetery Road and LA 22
- Ponchatoula West Station 3 on the corner of Morgan Drive and LA 22
- Husser Fire Station on LA 445
- Natalbany Fire on LA 1064
- Baptist Fire Station
- Wilmer Fire Station
- Independence Fire Station
- Loranger Fire Station
- Kentwood Volunteer Fire Station on LA 38 East
Officials are monitoring these areas for flooding or high water:
- La. Hwy 10 near Newman Briggs Road
- Vernon Town Road
- Russell Town Road
- Graham Road
- Friendship Church Road
- West. MLK Street at Banks Road
- Burdette Lee Road
- Roseland Avenue
- Straughan Nursery Road at School Road
- Easley Road at Wesley Road
- Company Road south of N. Populis Road
West Baton Rouge Parish
Sand and bags are available at the following locations for all residents. Residents must bring their own shovels.
- William & Lee Park, 1631 Louisiana Ave. Port Allen
- Rivault Park, 900 South Jefferson Ave. Port Allen
- Alexander Park, 250 Elaine St. Brusly,
- Erwinville Park, 5110 Rougon Rd. Port Allen
- Joe Myhand Park, 8201 Laws Rd. Addis
- South Winterville Water Tower
- Lobdell Fire Station, 2937 Lafiton Ln. Port Allen
- Addis Fire Station, 6875 Hwy 1. Addis
The City of Port Allen has a limit of 5 sandbags per household. For elderly and disabled residents who are unable to pick up sandbags, please call City Hall to arrange delivery.
West Feliciana Parish
Sandbag locations:
- West Feliciana Parish Jail (4834 Feliciana St., St. Francisville)
- Solitude Fire Station (6131 Greenwood Road, St. Francisville)
- Parish Highway Barn (9861 Old Hwy. 66, St. Francisville)
Residents should bring their own shovels to fill sandbags.
Continue to monitor this page as information will be continuously updated.
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