Rains Soak, Flood Southern Louisiana
Record flood waters inundated parts of southern Louisiana early Tuesday after intense rains caused perilous flash flooding and prompted hundreds of rescues.
Estimates by the National Weather Service put total rainfall at 12 to 18 inches across the region, with possible amounts of 20 or more inches in some areas. A flood warning has been issued until late Tuesday.
Flood waters were cresting overnight for Bayou Vermillion at Carencro at 5.5 feet over flood stage and a full 12 inches above the record set in May 2004.
“We’re still conducting rescues,” Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kip Judice said Monday evening. “We’ve done over 150 rescues throughout the day today.”
One of those involved 16 middle school students whose bus became stuck after more than 4 feet of water covered the road.