Alert archive / Louisiana / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 18, NWS Lake Charles, LA

May 17, 2021Calcasieu Parish, Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this flash flood warning at May 17, 2021, 1:43 PM CDT for Calcasieu Parish, Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 6 hr. 5 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: May 17, 2021, 1:43 PM CDT (18:43 UTC)
Expired: May 17, 2021, 7:45 PM CDT
In force: 6 hr
Issued by: NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Emergency: Flash flood emergency
Damage threat: Catastrophic
Flood severity: None

Counties Calcasieu Parish, LA, Jefferson Davis Parish, LA

The radar

The Lake Charles radar (KLCH), 13 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:43 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.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
May 17, 1:46 PM CDT	HEAVY RAIN 0	1 Nnw Lake Charles, LA	CARS UNDER WATER ON BANK ST/5TH ST IN LAKE CHARLES
May 17, 1:47 PM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	Lake Charles, LA	NUMEROUS HOMES AND BUILDINGS FLOODED IN LAKE CHARLES.STRANDED CARS
May 17, 2:00 PM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Ese Lake Charles, LA	* 1 FATAL * A FATALITY OCCURRED ALONG EAST PRIEN LAKE ROAD FROM FLASH FLOODING. THE VICITIM WAS RECOVED ON 1/18 IN A CAR THAT WAS SWEPT INTO A DITCH. TIME IS UNKNOWN.
May 17, 3:53 PM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	1 E Lake Charles Region, LA	WATER OVER THE ROAD FROM CPPJ GAGE.
May 17, 4:59 PM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Ssw Lake Charles, LA	GAGE AT CONTROBAND BAYOU INDICATES PEAK OF 2 FEET ABOVE THE 1 PERCENT ANNUAL CHANCE LEVEL.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Lake Charles Mun, LA (KLCH), launched 12:00Z, 6.7 hours before the alert went out and 13 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: 626 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -14 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 699 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 32 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 207 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 314 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.7
Supercell composite: 10.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

183 
WGUS54 KLCH 171843
FFWLCH
LAC019-053-172145-
/O.NEW.KLCH.FF.W.0018.210517T1843Z-210517T2145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
143 PM CDT Mon May 17 2021

...FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR EASTERN CALCASIEU AND WESTERN JEFFERSON 
DAVIS PARISHES INCLUDING LAKE CHARLES, LEBLEU SETTLEMENT AND IOWA...

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Calcasieu Parish in southwestern Louisiana...
  Northwestern Jefferson Davis Parish in southwestern Louisiana...

* Until 445 PM CDT.

* At 143 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 5 and 12 inches of rain 
  have fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring.

  This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Eastern Calcasieu and Western 
  Jefferson Davis Parishes including Lake Charles, Lebleu Settlement 
  and Iowa. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER 
  GROUND NOW!

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Doppler radar.

  IMPACT...This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK
           HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life threatening flash flooding of
           low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Lake Charles, Westlake, Iowa, Moss Bluff, Lake Charles Regional 
  Airport, Lebleu Settlement and Buller.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and 
life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are 
fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3010 9322 3009 9329 3011 9334 3017 9334
      3024 9329 3030 9324 3033 9317 3038 9307
      3043 9294 3035 9292 3023 9299 3022 9300
      3015 9311

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC

$$

Brazzell

2 follow-up statements

746 
WGUS54 KLCH 172131
FFWLCH
LAC019-053-172315-
/O.EXT.KLCH.FF.W.0018.000000T0000Z-210517T2315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
431 PM CDT Mon May 17 2021

...FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR EASTERN CALCASIEU AND WESTERN JEFFERSON 
DAVIS PARISHES INCLUDING LAKE CHARLES, LEBLEU SETTLEMENT AND IOWA...

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Calcasieu Parish in southwestern Louisiana...
  Northwestern Jefferson Davis Parish in southwestern Louisiana...

* Until 615 PM CDT.

* At 431 PM CDT, Gauge reports indicated that water levels have for 
  the most part peaked, but severe flooding will continue for the 
  next few hours. Between 6 and 15 inches of rain have fallen. Flash 
  flooding is already occurring.

  This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Eastern Calcasieu and Western 
  Jefferson Davis Parishes including Lake Charles, Lebleu Settlement 
  and Iowa. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER 
  GROUND NOW!

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Gauges.

  IMPACT...This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK
           HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life threatening flash flooding of
           low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Lake Charles, Westlake, Iowa, Moss Bluff, Lake Charles Regional 
  Airport, Lebleu Settlement and Buller.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and 
life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are 
fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3010 9322 3009 9329 3011 9334 3017 9334
      3024 9329 3030 9324 3033 9317 3038 9307
      3043 9294 3035 9292 3023 9299 3022 9300
      3015 9311

FLASH FLOOD...GAUGE INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC

$$

Brazzell

339 
WGUS54 KLCH 172259
FFWLCH
LAC019-053-180045-
/O.EXT.KLCH.FF.W.0018.000000T0000Z-210518T0045Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
559 PM CDT Mon May 17 2021

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Calcasieu Parish in southwestern Louisiana...
  Northwestern Jefferson Davis Parish in southwestern Louisiana...

* Until 745 PM CDT.

* At 559 PM CDT, gauge reports are showing water levels are 
  continuing to peak with some areas showing falling. Between 6 and 
  15 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring 
  with numerous roads flooded.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Gauges.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
           urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Lake Charles, Westlake, Iowa, Moss Bluff, Lake Charles Regional 
  Airport, Lebleu Settlement and Buller.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3010 9322 3009 9329 3011 9334 3017 9334
      3024 9329 3030 9324 3033 9317 3038 9307
      3043 9294 3035 9292 3023 9299 3022 9300
      3015 9311

FLASH FLOOD...GAUGE INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

Brazzell

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 17, 2:45 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		90 min
May 17, 3:46 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		59 min
May 17, 4:16 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		89 min
May 17, 4:22 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Cameron	53 min
May 17, 4:39 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		66 min
May 17, 5:03 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Cameron	27 min
May 17, 5:31 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Cameron	59 min
May 17, 5:43 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	32 min
May 17, 6:00 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		60 min
May 17, 6:32 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Beauregard, Calcasieu	58 min
May 17, 6:56 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		64 min
May 17, 7:54 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		66 min
May 17, 7:56 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		64 min
May 17, 8:45 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Vernon	30 min
May 17, 9:00 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		60 min
May 17, 9:04 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Beauregard	41 min
May 17, 9:20 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Allen, Beauregard	25 min
May 17, 9:34 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	LCH	Beauregard, Vernon	5 hr
May 17, 9:37 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	LCH	Beauregard, Calcasieu	5 hr
May 17, 9:37 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	38 min
May 17, 9:40 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Calcasieu, Cameron	5 hr
May 17, 9:56 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		64 min
May 17, 10:03 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		57 min
May 17, 10:10 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	4 hr
May 17, 10:16 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	59 min
May 17, 10:30 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	30 min
May 17, 11:14 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis	61 min
May 17, 11:16 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Cameron	29 min
May 17, 11:18 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		17 min
May 17, 11:21 AM CDT	Flash Flood Watch	LCH	Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Cameron, Evangeline, Lafayette and 4 more	5 days
May 17, 11:22 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis	23 min
May 17, 11:26 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Allen, Beauregard	3 hr
May 17, 11:36 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	3 hr
May 17, 11:42 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis	8 min
May 17, 11:51 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		54 min
May 17, 12:41 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	LCH	Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis	3 hr
May 17, 12:42 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		63 min
May 17, 1:11 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis	34 min
May 17, 1:40 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		65 min
May 17, 1:49 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis	26 min
May 17, 2:04 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Acadia, Lafayette, Vermilion	26 min
May 17, 2:14 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	31 min
May 17, 2:19 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	LCH	Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu	5 hr
May 17, 2:24 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Beauregard, Vernon	3 hr
May 17, 2:27 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	LCH	Acadia	33 min
May 17, 2:29 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	LCH	Allen, Beauregard	21 days
May 17, 2:35 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Allen, Jefferson Davis	5 hr
May 17, 2:42 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		63 min
May 17, 2:52 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Saint Landry	38 min
May 17, 2:53 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Saint Landry, Saint Martin	37 min
May 17, 2:57 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Acadia	33 min
May 17, 3:28 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Saint Landry, Saint Martin	32 min
May 17, 3:29 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Acadia, Allen, Jefferson Davis	5 hr
May 17, 3:29 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Acadia, Jefferson Davis	25 min
May 17, 3:30 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Acadia	16 min
May 17, 3:37 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Acadia	38 min
May 17, 3:40 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		65 min
May 17, 4:08 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Acadia	37 min
May 17, 4:12 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Saint Landry	33 min
May 17, 4:39 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		66 min
May 17, 4:44 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Acadia, Saint Landry	31 min
May 17, 5:12 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Acadia, Lafayette, Vermilion	48 min
May 17, 5:16 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Lafayette, Saint Martin	29 min
May 17, 5:39 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		66 min
May 17, 5:57 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Lafayette, Vermilion	33 min
May 17, 6:01 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	LCH	Acadia, Lafayette, Vermilion	6 hr
May 17, 6:03 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Lafayette, Saint Landry, Saint Martin	7 hr
May 17, 6:32 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Lafayette, Vermilion	43 min
May 17, 6:40 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		65 min
May 17, 6:40 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LCH	Saint Landry, Saint Martin	35 min
May 17, 6:50 PM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	LCH	Beauregard, Calcasieu	3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Louisiana, 2021 Every flash flood warning in 2021

Sources

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