Alert archive / Louisiana / Flash Flood Warnings in 2019

Flash Flood Warning 29, NWS Lake Charles, LA

May 9, 2019Lafayette Parish, Saint Martin Parish, Louisiana

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this flash flood warning at May 9, 2019, 10:16 PM CDT for Lafayette Parish, Saint Martin Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued: May 9, 2019, 10:16 PM CDT (03:16 UTC)
Expired: May 10, 2019, 1:15 AM CDT
In force: 3 hr
Issued by: NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Lafayette Parish, LA, Saint Martin Parish, LA

The radar

The Lake Charles radar (KLCH), 128 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:15 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Lake Charles Mun, LA (KLCH), launched 00:00Z, 3.3 hours before the alert went out and 127 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 409 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -201 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 819 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 57 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 29 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 86 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: -0.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

323 
WGUS54 KLCH 100316
FFWLCH
LAC055-099-100615-
/O.NEW.KLCH.FF.W.0029.190510T0316Z-190510T0615Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1016 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Eastern Lafayette Parish in south central Louisiana...
  Northwestern St. Martin Parish in south central Louisiana...

* Until 115 AM CDT.

* At 1014 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Radar estimates 1 to 4 inches 
  of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to 
  begin shortly.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Lafayette, Catahoula, Scott, Breaux Bridge, Carencro, St.
  Martinville, Broussard, Youngsville, Henderson, Cade, Butte La
  Rose, Cecilia, Lake Pelba and Parks.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small
creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as
well as other drainage areas and low lying spots.

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.
If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately.
Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate
precautions to protect life and property.

&&

LAT...LON 3006 9190 3007 9191 3007 9195 3004 9196
      3004 9197 3005 9200 3010 9203 3014 9210
      3026 9213 3032 9202 3040 9170 3041 9169
      3034 9162 3031 9162 3029 9160

$$

24

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Lake Charles, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 9, 7:30 PM CDT, 2 hours 46 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 9, 7:30 PM CDT, 2 hours 46 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
730 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

.UPDATE...
Have updated for Flash Flood Watch to now include parishes in
south-central Louisiana.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 649 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019/

UPDATE...
Storms around se Tx and srn Louisiana will be the focus of issues
through the evening into the overnight hours. Ceilings... vsby...
and tstms will develop and move acrs these taf lctns.

PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 404 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019/

SYNOPSIS...
Set up is shaping up for periods of heavy rainfall with potential
strong to severe storms through Saturday.

Flash flood is currently out through Saturday afternoon for all of
the forecast area with the exception of the lower Atchafalaya
area. Storm total rainfall amounts will average 3 to 8 inches
with some locally higher amounts to 12 inches or more. WPC also
has the forecast area under a Moderate to Slight Risk for
excessive rainfall that will lead to flooding through Saturday.

Slight risk for severe storms for the remainder of the afternoon
into tonight. A marginal risk for severe storms for Friday into
Saturday. Main hazard will be damaging straight line winds from
wet microburst or a quick spin-up short lived tornado. Although
with some dry air entrained in the mid levels according to the
09/17Z upper air sounding, some hail to quarter size can not be
ruled out into this evening.

Frontal system will begin to shift to the east and south during
Sunday with lowering rain chances and reduction in heavy rainfall
and severe risk.

Rua

DISCUSSION...
A slow moving surface boundary, numerous local mesoscale
boundaries, a series of upper level disturbances, and a moist
unstable air mass will all combine to bring rounds of showers and
storms.

With alot of the activity being driven by mesoscale boundaries,
there is some uncertainty in the exact placement/location of the
heavy rainfall. Also, with upper level disturbances in the
southwest flow, guidance is also off a little with the timing and
strength of each, so there is a little uncertainty for the exact
timing when the best coverage and intensity of the activity will
be.

In the short term, it looks like warm moist air will override an
outflow boundary that is nearing the coast. So bands of showers
and storms will continue from roughly the intracoastal waterway to
around highway 190 into the early evening, when activity should
tend to decrease. Due to some of the heavier rainfall reaching
parts of lower Acadiana this afternoon, had to extend the Flash
Flood Watch to include Vermilion, Lafayette, and Upper Saint
Martin Parishes. This also goes along with the placement of a
slight risk of excessive rainfall for that area from WPC.

After what could be a brief break later this evening, short term
guidance has a rather impressive MCS developing during the
overnight in east Texas as the surface cold front moves down into
the forecast area. This MCS will move east to west along the
boundary from southeast Texas into west central and southwest
Louisiana by Friday morning. If this system does as expected, then
some stabilization of the air mass could take place, and portions
of the forecast area could see a reduction in activity on Friday
afternoon, especially over southeast Texas and southwest
Louisiana.

The process then repeats on Friday night into Saturday, with
another nocturnal MCS developing where the surface
boundary/mesoscale boundary is situated.

Still looks like decent agreement that the upper level trough gets
kicked off to the east during Sunday, and this gives us a little
more of a west to northwest flow aloft that pushes the boundary to
the east and south and allows some more stable and drier air to
move in from west to east during the day.

Still some differences in the medium range guidance as to how far
south the boundary moves and when it attempts to come back
bringing in the moist and unstable air early next week. At this
point will start bringing pops back in on Tuesday which is close
to national blend guidance.

Rua

MARINE...
Mainly light onshore flow will occur through Saturday as a weak
frontal boundary nears the coastal waters. A series of upper level
disturbances will combine with the frontal boundary to produce
periods of showers and thunderstorms. Some of these storms will be
strong producing locally higher winds and seas, along with
frequent cloud to water lightning, and greatly reduced
visibilitiesfrom heavy rainfall through Saturday night.

Rua

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AEX  68  77  67  78 /  80  90  70  90
LCH  71  79  72  81 /  80  90  70  90
LFT  72  82  72  82 /  60  90  70  80
BPT  71  79  71  80 /  90  90  80  90

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Flash Flood Watch through Saturday evening for LAZ027>033-
     041>045-052>055-073-074.

TX...Flash Flood Watch through Saturday evening for TXZ180-201-215-
     216-259>262.

GM...None.
&&

PUBLIC...19

Hazardous weather outlook, May 9, 7:22 PM CDT, 2 hours 54 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
722 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-
110030-
Vernon-Rapides-Avoyelles-Beauregard-Allen-Evangeline-St. Landry-
Calcasieu-Jefferson Davis-Acadia-Lafayette-Upper St. Martin-
Vermilion-Iberia-St. Mary-Lower St. Martin-West Cameron-
East Cameron-Tyler-Hardin-Jefferson-Orange-Northern Jasper-
Northern Newton-Southern Jasper-Southern Newton-
722 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Louisiana, south central Louisiana, southwest Louisiana, west
central Louisiana, and southeast Texas.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Slight to Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall. A Flash Flood Watch
is in effect for all counties and parishes and this will now
include Iberia, St. Mary, and lower St. Martin Parishes in south
central Louisiana.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Through Saturday night, Slight to Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for all of the area except for
Iberia, St. Mary, and lower St. Martin Parishes. The watch may
have to be extended into these parishes. Marginal Risk of Severe
Storms for potential damaging straight line winds and even a
quick spin up brief lived tornado.

Drier and more stable air is expected to move in during Sunday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

GMZ430-432-435-450-452-455-470-472-475-110030-
Sabine Lake-Calcasieu Lake-Vermilion Bay-
Coastal waters from Cameron LA to High Island TX out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from Intracoastal City to Cameron LA out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City
LA out 20 NM-
Waters from Cameron LA to High Island TX from 20 to 60 NM-
Waters from  Intracoastal City to Cameron LA from 20 to 60 NM-
Waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City LA from
20 to 60 NM-
722 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Gulf of Mexico.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

A few storms may move into the coastal waters with locally higher
winds and seas along with frequent cloud to water lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Periods of showers and storms will be possible through Saturday
night. These storms will produce locally higher winds and seas,
frequent cloud to water lightning, along with greatly reduced
visibilities due to heavy rainfall.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 9, 7:44 PM CDT, 2 hours 32 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
744 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

LAZ045-100100-
Upper St. Martin LA-
744 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...

At 744 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Catahoula, moving northeast at 25 mph.

Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Catahoula, Breaux Bridge, St. Martinville, Butte La Rose, Lake Pelba
and Parks.

LAT...LON 3020 9149 3011 9168 3012 9170 3012 9173
      3011 9177 3009 9177 3021 9188 3043 9164
      3039 9162 3036 9165 3035 9163 3031 9162
      3028 9159 3026 9159 3024 9156 3024 9151
      3023 9147
TIME...MOT...LOC 0044Z 231DEG 22KT 3020 9175

24

Special weather statement, May 9, 8:09 PM CDT, 2 hours 7 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
809 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

LAZ045-053-054-100145-
Iberia LA-Upper St. Martin LA-St. Mary LA-
809 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...

At 807 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorms
over Butte La Rose, or near Catahoula, moving northeast at 25 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Lafayette, Catahoula, Breaux Bridge, St. Martinville, Jeanerette,
Loreauville, Butte La Rose, Lake Fausse Pointe, Sorrel and Parks.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 2987 9167 3014 9192 3015 9191 3018 9192
      3018 9196 3020 9197 3039 9163 3036 9165
      3035 9163 3031 9162 3026 9159 3024 9156
      3023 9147 3020 9149 3019 9147 3013 9146
      3011 9147 3010 9139 3006 9137 3005 9126
TIME...MOT...LOC 0107Z 229DEG 23KT 3026 9171

K. Kuyper

Local storm report, May 9, 9:26 PM CDT, 50 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
926 PM CDT THU MAY 9 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0836 PM     HAIL             SARATOGA                30.28N 94.53W
05/09/2019  E2.75 INCH       HARDIN             TX   PUBLIC

            SOCIAL MEDIA PICTURE OF PERSON HOLDING HAIL SEEMINGLY
            AROUND BASEBALL SIZE. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

&&

SWARTHEN

Special weather statement, May 9, 9:32 PM CDT, 44 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
932 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

TXZ180-259-100315-
Northern Jasper TX-Tyler TX-
932 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...

At 930 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Spurger to near Warren to 7 miles west of
Woodville. Movement was north at 20 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Jasper, Woodville, Colmesneil, Chester, Warren, Ebenezer, Town Bluff,
Rockland, Spurger, Ivanhoe, Hillister and Sam Rayburn Dam.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3104 9461 3106 9453 3104 9451 3105 9449
      3103 9448 3103 9447 3111 9406 3114 9403
      3114 9399 3061 9411 3061 9457 3101 9466
TIME...MOT...LOC 0230Z 195DEG 18KT 3071 9425 3067 9439 3075 9455

K. Kuyper

Local storm report, May 9, 9:37 PM CDT, 39 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
937 PM CDT THU MAY 9 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0919 PM     HAIL             KOUNTZE                 30.37N 94.32W
05/09/2019  E1.75 INCH       HARDIN             TX   PUBLIC

            SOCIAL MEDIA PICTURE SHOWING GOLFBALL SIZED HAILSTONES IN
            KOUNTZE. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

&&

SWARTHEN

Special weather statement, May 9, 9:54 PM CDT, 22 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
954 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

LAZ033-045-100345-
St. Landry LA-Upper St. Martin LA-
954 PM CDT Thu May 9 2019

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...

At 953 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Arnaudville, moving northeast at 25 mph.

Half inch hail will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Breaux Bridge, Krotz Springs, Leonville, Arnaudville, Melville and
Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3040 9165 3031 9195 3036 9195 3036 9196
      3046 9199 3073 9175 3071 9173 3067 9173
      3066 9175 3063 9174 3062 9175 3056 9176
      3051 9173 3051 9175 3050 9175 3050 9170
      3048 9169 3047 9167
TIME...MOT...LOC 0253Z 204DEG 22KT 3037 9193

K. Kuyper

The office that day

Everything else NWS Lake Charles, LA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 9, 7:07 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Acadia, Jefferson Davis, Saint Landry	3 hr
May 9, 7:09 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Lafayette, Saint Martin	3 hr
May 9, 7:15 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Saint Martin	15 min
May 9, 7:44 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Saint Martin	16 min
May 9, 8:09 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Saint Martin	36 min
May 9, 9:28 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Iberia, Saint Martin	3 hr
May 9, 9:54 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Saint Landry	51 min
May 9, 9:57 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	LCH	Lafayette	63 min
May 9, 10:02 PM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	LCH	Acadia, Jefferson Davis, Saint Landry	118 min
May 9, 10:24 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Calcasieu, Cameron	51 min
May 9, 10:56 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Calcasieu, Cameron	64 min
May 9, 10:59 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Beauregard, Calcasieu	32 min
May 9, 11:57 PM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	LCH	Acadia, Jefferson Davis, Saint Landry	3 hr
May 10, 12:02 AM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	LCH	Iberia, Saint Martin	118 min
May 10, 12:02 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	58 min
May 10, 12:23 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		67 min
May 10, 12:47 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis	58 min
May 10, 12:49 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		11 min
May 10, 12:54 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	2 hr
May 10, 12:54 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Calcasieu, Cameron	66 min
May 10, 12:56 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Beauregard	2 hr
May 10, 1:13 AM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	LCH	Lafayette, Saint Martin	2 hr
May 10, 1:18 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		57 min
May 10, 1:21 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Allen, Beauregard	39 min
May 10, 1:41 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		64 min
May 10, 2:01 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis	59 min
May 10, 2:02 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Allen	43 min
May 10, 2:17 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		58 min
May 10, 2:27 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis	3 hr
May 10, 2:27 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	LCH	Lafayette, Saint Landry, Saint Martin	5 days
May 10, 2:27 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	LCH	Lafayette, Vermilion	16 days
May 10, 2:43 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Beauregard, Calcasieu	3 hr
May 10, 2:56 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Jefferson Davis	49 min
May 10, 3:25 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Evangeline	50 min
May 10, 4:00 AM CDT	Small Craft Advisory	LCH		11 hr
May 10, 4:53 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		2 hr
May 10, 6:15 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, Saint Landry, Saint Martin and 1 more	2 hr
May 10, 7:02 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		43 min
May 10, 7:04 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		41 min
May 10, 8:23 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	St. Mary	37 min
May 10, 11:47 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	LCH	Iberia, Saint Martin, St. Mary	25 days

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Louisiana, 2019 Every flash flood warning in 2019

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.