Alert archive / Louisiana / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 10, NWS Lake Charles, LA

May 9, 2026Lafayette Parish, Saint Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this flash flood warning at May 9, 2026, 1:08 PM CDT for Lafayette Parish, Saint Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 4 hr. 3 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 9, 2026, 1:08 PM CDT (18:08 UTC)
Expired: May 9, 2026, 5:15 PM CDT
In force: 4 hr
Issued by: NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Lafayette Parish, LA, Saint Martin Parish, LA, Vermilion Parish, LA

The radar

The Lake Charles radar (KLCH), 95 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:12 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 9, 2:05 PM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	4 Wnw Broussard, LA	Report of water over portions of Camellia Blvd.
May 9, 3:03 PM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Ene Milton, LA	Reports of water over Verot School Rd. The nearby coulee has come out of its banks.
May 9, 4:30 PM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	1 Ese Milton, LA	Picture of Anselm Coulee out of its banks and across Gallet Rd. Time based on highest flow on Flash Crest Data..

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 3 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 57 minutes after it went out.

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

Slidell Radar S, LA (KSIL), launched 12:00Z, 6.1 hours before the alert went out and 244 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: 1031 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -62 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 728 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 42 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 207 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 237 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 1.4
Supercell composite: 9.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

941 
WGUS54 KLCH 091808
FFWLCH
LAC055-099-113-092115-
/O.NEW.KLCH.FF.W.0010.260509T1808Z-260509T2115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
108 PM CDT Sat May 9 2026

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southern Lafayette Parish in south central Louisiana...
  West Central St. Martin Parish in south central Louisiana...
  Northern Vermilion Parish in southwestern Louisiana...

* Until 415 PM CDT.

* At 108 PM CDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated 
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 
  1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 
  1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is 
  ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Lafayette, Scott, St. Martinville, Kaplan, Broussard, Youngsville, 
  Maurice, Meaux, Indian Bayou, Ridge, Wright, Milton and Florence 
  Landing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 2996 9261 3007 9233 3020 9217 3023 9205
      3024 9197 3015 9178 3006 9204 2989 9254

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED

$$

MC

1 follow-up statement

440 
WGUS54 KLCH 092046
FFWLCH
LAC055-099-113-092215-
/O.EXT.KLCH.FF.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260509T2215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
346 PM CDT Sat May 9 2026

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southern Lafayette Parish in south central Louisiana...
  West Central St. Martin Parish in south central Louisiana...
  Northeastern Vermilion Parish in southwestern Louisiana...

* Until 515 PM CDT.

* At 346 PM CDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated 
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 
  1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 
  0.5 to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is 
  ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Lafayette, Scott, St. Martinville, Kaplan, Broussard, Youngsville, 
  Maurice, Ridge, Meaux, Indian Bayou and Milton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3023 9205 3024 9197 3015 9178 3006 9204
      2997 9231 3007 9233 3020 9217

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED

$$

MC

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, 12:31 PM CDT, 37 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Another wave of thunderstorms expected this afternoon with storms ending around sunset.
Areas of fog are expected early Sunday morning especially in areas that see significant rainfall.
Scattered afternoon thunderstorms possible Sunday afternoon with storms continuing overnight into Monday morning as a weak cold front moves through the region.

Area forecast discussion, May 9, 12:31 PM CDT, 37 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1231 PM CDT Sat May 9 2026

...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION, MARINE, FIRE WEATHER, CLIMATE...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Another wave of thunderstorms expected this afternoon with storms
ending around sunset.

- Areas of fog are expected early Sunday morning especially in areas
that see significant rainfall.

- Scattered afternoon thunderstorms possible Sunday afternoon with
  storms continuing overnight into Monday morning as a weak cold
  front moves through the region.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(This evening through next Friday)
Issued at 1229 PM CDT Sat May 9 2026

A wave of precipitation associated with an upper level
disturbance continues to produce slow moving heavy rain across much
of lower acadiana early this afternoon. High res guidance has been
consistent in developing an additional wave of convection this
afternoon which will generally move west to east across the region.
As has been the case over the last couple of days, this convection
will be capable of heavy rainfall that will have the potential to
create or exacerbate flash flooding. WPC has increased their day one
excessive rainfall outlook to a slight risk across nearly all of
south and central Louisiana and maintained a marginal risk across
southeast Texas which has seen significantly less recent rain. In
addition to the flood risk, a few storms will have the potential to
become strong to severe with hail and damaging winds being the
biggest threats (the environment is not particularly favorable for
tornadoes).

Precipitation is expected to come to an end around or shortly after
sunset this evening. While skies will remain overcast, winds are
expected to calm and with the ground saturated in many spots from
today's rains, areas of dense fog are once again expected to develop
early Sunday morning.

Another round of convection is expected Sunday afternoon. This
activity will initially be diurnally driven, but will eventually
come under the influence of an approaching cold front that will push
through the region late Sunday night into Monday morning. Guidance
has backed off of PoPs Sunday afternoon compared to this time
yesterday although storms will still be capable of heavy rain.
Convection is expected to increase late Sunday night into early
Monday with the approach and passage of the front with activity
coming to an end from north to south following the fropa.

A brief period of cooler and drier air will stream into the region
in the wake of the front Monday and Tuesday with the coolest
temperatures in the upper 50s to lower 60s occurring Tuesday
morning. Southerly flow and warming temperatures will prevail
Wednesday through the end of next week with afternoon highs in the
mid to upper 80s and lows in the mid 60s to near 70.

Jones

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1229 PM CDT Sat May 9 2026

Showers and thunderstorms will continue to develop and
move from west to east across the region through approximately 01Z.
MVFR ceilings will prevail away from storms while falling to IFR
near convection. Away from storms, light, variable winds will
prevail through the evening. Nearly calm winds overnight will allow
areas of potentially dense fog to develop between 08 and 14Z Sunday.
A few thunderstorms may redevelop near the end of the period, but
the majority of these will be later in the day Sunday.

Jones

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 1229 PM CDT Sat May 9 2026

Widespread showers and thunderstorms will continue over the
coastal waters and nearshore lakes and bays this afternoon before
coming to an end around sunset this evening. Light onshore flow will
prevail today into Sunday. Another round of thunderstorms are
expected Sunday evening into Monday morning as a cold front pushes
offshore. Breezy offshore flow will develop in the wake of the front
Monday and continue through Wednesday before turning back onshore
Wednesday night through the rest of the week. Seas will remain in
the 1-3 foot range through the forecast period.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1229 PM CDT Sat May 9 2026

Showers and thunderstorms will continue this
afternoon before coming to an end around sunset this evening.
Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected Sunday afternoon
through early Monday morning with the approach and passage of a weak
cold front. Somewhat cooler, drier air will filter into the region
on light northerly winds Monday. This will drop afternoon RH values
into the 40-50% range both Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.
Southerly winds return Wednesday night through the end of the week
increasing atmospheric moisture.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 1229 PM CDT Sat May 9 2026

In a quick turn of precipitable fortune the climate site
at Lafayette has now reached 0.06 inches above normal precipitation
year to date not including precipitation that has occurred this
morning and additional rain expected later today. The four other
climate sites (LCH, BPT, AEX and ARA) remain between 3 and 7 inches
below normal year to date with LCH being the driest.

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...None.
TX...None.
GM...None.
&&

PUBLIC/FIRE/MARINE...66
AVIATION...66

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 9, 11:17 AM CDT, 1 hour 51 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1117 AM CDT Sat May 9 2026

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

1024 AM     Flash Flood      2 NNE Lydia             29.95N 91.77W
05/09/2026                   Iberia             LA   Law Enforcement

            Report of Darnall Rd near HWY 90 blocked by
            high water.

&&

MC

Local storm report, May 9, 11:19 AM CDT, 1 hour 49 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1119 AM CDT Sat May 9 2026

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

1024 AM     Flash Flood      3 W New Iberia          30.00N 91.87W
05/09/2026                   Iberia             LA   Law Enforcement

            Report Grand Prairie Rd is blocked by high
            water.

&&

MC

Local storm report, May 9, 11:33 AM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1133 AM CDT Sat May 9 2026

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

1101 AM     Flash Flood      1 NW New Iberia         30.02N 91.83W
05/09/2026                   Iberia             LA   Public

            Report of water over the roadway on St Peter
            near the Library.

&&

MC

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 8, 8:48 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Vernon	57 min
May 8, 9:47 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Saint Landry	28 min
May 8, 9:50 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Beauregard	40 min
May 8, 10:40 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Allen	50 min
May 8, 11:14 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Allen, Evangeline	46 min
May 8, 11:58 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Evangeline, Saint Landry	47 min
May 9, 12:38 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Saint Landry	37 min
May 9, 3:49 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Rapides	41 min
May 9, 8:09 AM CDT	Special Marine Warning	LCH		66 min
May 9, 9:46 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Iberia, Lafayette, Saint Martin, Vermilion	7 hr
May 9, 10:12 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	LCH	Lafayette, Saint Landry, Saint Martin	6 days
May 9, 10:12 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	LCH	Lafayette, Vermilion	12 days
May 9, 11:43 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Iberia, Saint Martin, St. Mary, Vermilion	4 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Louisiana, 2026 Every flash flood warning in 2026

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.