Alert archive / Louisiana / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 5, NWS Lake Charles, LA
NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this flash flood warning at May 6, 2026, 7:56 PM CDT for Avoyelles Parish, Rapides Parish, Vernon Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 2 hr. 1 report 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 6, 2026, 7:56 PM CDT (00:56 UTC)
- Expired
- May 6, 2026, 10:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 2 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Lake Charles, LA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Avoyelles Parish, LA, Rapides Parish, LA, Vernon Parish, LA
The radar
The Ft Polk radar (KPOE), 65 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:55 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 6, 8:31 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | Alexandria, LA | DELAYED REPORT: Video received showing water over numerous roadways near Bolton High School. Portions of Chester street impassible. This area received roughly 3 to 5 inches of rainfall from 1 to 5 PM CDT and another 1 to 3 inches from 630 to 8 PM CDT. |
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 one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 35 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
Lake Charles Mun, LA (KLCH), launched 00:00Z, 0.9 hours before the alert went out and 158 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1728 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -6 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 706 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 52 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 61 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 102 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.2
- Supercell composite
- 7.3
The text
As transmitted.
121
WGUS54 KLCH 070056
FFWLCH
LAC009-079-115-070300-
/O.NEW.KLCH.FF.W.0005.260507T0056Z-260507T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
756 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Northwestern Avoyelles Parish in central Louisiana...
Central Rapides Parish in central Louisiana...
East Central Vernon Parish in west central Louisiana...
* Until 1000 PM CDT.
* At 756 PM CDT, Doppler radar 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 in some
area and is expected to continue or begin shortly in other areas.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar.
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...
Alexandria, Pineville, Leesville, Hineston, Alexandria
International Airport, Fort Polk, Ball, New Llano, Otis, Gardner,
Elmer, Sieper, Leander, Lacamp, Tioga, Kingsville, Paradise,
Kolin, Libuse and Esler Regional Airport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
&&
LAT...LON 3145 9218 3144 9216 3140 9215 3139 9212
3138 9212 3138 9211 3138 9210 3137 9208
3134 9207 3134 9209 3132 9208 3134 9205
3131 9203 3103 9284 3098 9339 3114 9330
3137 9264
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
Stigger/871 follow-up statement
147
WGUS74 KLCH 070252
FFSLCH
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
952 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
LAC009-079-115-070302-
/O.EXP.KLCH.FF.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260507T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Avoyelles LA-Rapides LA-Vernon LA-
952 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR
NORTHWESTERN AVOYELLES, CENTRAL RAPIDES AND EAST CENTRAL VERNON
PARISHES...
Flood waters have receded. The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining
road closures.
&&
LAT...LON 3145 9218 3144 9216 3140 9215 3139 9212
3138 9212 3138 9211 3138 9210 3137 9208
3134 9207 3134 9209 3132 9208 3134 9205
3131 9203 3103 9284 3098 9339 3114 9330
3137 9264
$$
Stigger/87What 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 6, 7:04 PM CDT, 52 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe weather today due to a cold front.
- Heavy rain and flash flooding is possible today and Thursday as a front moves across the region.
- Rain chances remain in place during the weekend with upper disturbances traversing the region.
Area forecast discussion, May 6, 7:04 PM CDT, 52 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lake Charles LA 704 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... - Slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe weather today due to a cold front. - Heavy rain and flash flooding is possible today and Thursday as a front moves across the region. - Rain chances remain in place during the weekend with upper disturbances traversing the region. && .DISCUSSION... (This evening through next Tuesday) Issued at 1213 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026 A shortwave is moving across eastern Texas this afternoon with strong southwest flow extending across the region. At the surface, a frontal boundary is approaching northern Louisiana, with increasing moisture and some daytime heating leading to rather buoyant conditions ahead of it. Thus, a Marginal (level 1 out of 5) to Slight (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe weather continues for the rest of this afternoon and evening. Some showers are ongoing across the western portion of the forecast area and this region should continue to be the focus for most of the convection expected during the rest of the day. The main threats with this setup continue to be larger hail and strong wind gusts, especially for the northern part of the forecast area. Additionally, heavy rainfall remains a possibility with some of these storms as abundant tropical moisture will lead to a moderate to slight risk for excessive rainfall across portions of the region. The front will slowly push southward and then stall Thursday before slowly lifting back northward on Friday. WAA will return moisture back north while multiple upper disturbances traverse the area through Sunday. Rain chances will remain elevated into the weekend before another front pushes offshore and sharper short wave sweeps through. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 656 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026 Widespread MVFR about the area with exception to some areas that are clear of storms. Isolated showers and storms are still ongoing and are still possible for some of the southern terminals later tonight into very early tomorrow morning. && .MARINE... Issued at 1213 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026 A moderate onshore flow is expected today ahead of a cold front. This front will move through today and then stall over the waters on Thursday before lifting back north into the weekend. Another cold front will push back offshore late Sunday with a moderate north flow anticipated Monday. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 1213 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026 A cold front will move into the region today, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms through the rest of the afternoon and evening. This front will stall tonight into Thursday and then be the focus for additional rain into the weekend. && .LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... LA...None. TX...None. GM...None. && PUBLIC/FIRE/MARINE...05
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 6, 1:57 PM CDT, 5 hours 59 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
Issued by National Weather Service Tampa Bay Area Ruskin FL
157 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
LAZ027-030-TXZ260-061945-
Beauregard LA-Vernon LA-Northern Newton TX-
157 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN BEAUREGARD...
SOUTHWESTERN VERNON PARISHES IN WEST CENTRAL LOUISIANA AND CENTRAL
NEWTON COUNTIES THROUGH 245 PM CDT...
At 157 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Newton, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
De Ridder, Newton, Rosepine, Merryville, Bon Weir, Burkeville, Burr
Ferry, Junction, Stringtown, Evans, and Bleakwood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3063 9387 3085 9386 3121 9342 3083 9313
TIME...MOT...LOC 1857Z 234DEG 27KT 3081 9372
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TBWSpecial weather statement, May 6, 2:39 PM CDT, 5 hours 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
239 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
LAZ027-028-062030-
Vernon LA-Rapides LA-
239 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL RAPIDES AND VERNON
PARISHES THROUGH 330 PM CDT...
At 239 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rosepine, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Leesville, Rosepine, Fort Polk, Slagle, New Llano, Lacamp, Fullerton,
Hutton, Kurthwood, Leander, Cravens, Simpson, and Pickering.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central,
southwestern and west central Louisiana.
&&
LAT...LON 3136 9299 3107 9273 3088 9324 3088 9328
3111 9347 3137 9313 3137 9303
TIME...MOT...LOC 1939Z 241DEG 20KT 3099 9325
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SlaughterSpecial weather statement, May 6, 2:49 PM CDT, 5 hours 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
249 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
LAZ028-029-062015-
Avoyelles LA-Rapides LA-
249 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN RAPIDES AND
NORTHWESTERN AVOYELLES PARISHES THROUGH 315 PM CDT...
At 249 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Holloway, or 9 miles east of Pineville, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Pineville, Ball, Kingsville, Deville, Libuse, Tioga, Esler Regional
Airport, Kolin, Centerpoint, Holloway, and Paradise.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central
Louisiana.
&&
LAT...LON 3147 9219 3147 9216 3146 9217 3145 9216
3141 9215 3138 9212 3136 9208 3135 9207
3134 9209 3133 9208 3134 9204 3133 9201
3120 9232 3138 9248 3144 9239 3148 9219
TIME...MOT...LOC 1949Z 241DEG 20KT 3135 9226
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SlaughterLocal storm report, May 6, 5:31 PM CDT, 2 hours 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
531 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM Flash Flood 1 E Alexandria 31.29N 92.44W
05/06/2026 Rapides LA Broadcast Media
Broadcast media sent a photo of flooding on
Broadway Ave in Alexandria, LA.
&&
DJSpecial weather statement, May 6, 6:10 PM CDT, 1 hour 46 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
610 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
LAZ027-028-070000-
Vernon LA-Rapides LA-
610 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN RAPIDES AND EASTERN
VERNON PARISHES THROUGH 700 PM CDT...
At 609 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fort Polk, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Leesville, Hineston, Fort Polk, Slagle, Lacamp, Clifton, Otis, Elmer,
Leander, Sieper, Gardner, Calcasieu, Woodworth, and Simpson.
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 100 and 102.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central and
west central Louisiana.
&&
LAT...LON 3110 9248 3097 9318 3114 9326 3141 9270
TIME...MOT...LOC 2309Z 251DEG 34KT 3108 9311
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RuaSpecial weather statement, May 6, 7:03 PM CDT, 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
703 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
LAZ028-029-070045-
Avoyelles LA-Rapides LA-
703 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN RAPIDES AND
NORTHWESTERN AVOYELLES PARISHES THROUGH 745 PM CDT...
At 703 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Pineville, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Alexandria, Pineville, Boyce, Alexandria International Airport, Ball,
Deville, Libuse, Tioga, Timber Trails, Esler Regional Airport,
Kingsville, Kolin, Centerpoint, Holloway, Paradise, and Woodworth.
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 72 and 103.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central
Louisiana.
&&
LAT...LON 3150 9268 3149 9270 3147 9269 3145 9271
3145 9268 3142 9269 3141 9268 3140 9269
3140 9267 3139 9266 3148 9221 3147 9216
3141 9215 3136 9208 3133 9208 3134 9203
3132 9200 3130 9201 3108 9258 3148 9275
TIME...MOT...LOC 0003Z 246DEG 43KT 3131 9241
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RuaThe office that day
Everything else NWS Lake Charles, LA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 7:03 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Rapides | 42 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Louisiana, 2026Every 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.