Lafayette, LA – The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has extended a Flash Flood Warning for portions of south-central Louisiana, including Lafayette, Iberia, Vermilion, Acadia, Cameron, and St. Martin Parishes, until 1:30 PM Thursday afternoon.
At 12:22 PM CST, radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy thunderstorms producing flash flooding, with 2 to 5 inches of rain already recorded. Additional rainfall of up to 3 inches per hour is possible through early afternoon.
Flooding is occurring across urban and low-lying areas, affecting Lafayette, New Iberia, Abbeville, Crowley, Rayne, Breaux Bridge, Kaplan, and Jeanerette. Several roadways and drainage ditches are reported under water, and motorists are being urged to avoid travel if possible.
A report from Cade Farms measured 5.42 inches of rainfall in 24 hours, confirming widespread inundation across the area.
The NWS warns residents: “Turn around, don’t drown.” Most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles. Drivers should avoid flooded intersections and underpasses, and residents should remain alert for rising water levels.
The warning remains active as additional thunderstorms develop over the same saturated areas this afternoon.
