Flooding and Hail in Louisiana, July 8, 2009

Name: Flooding and Hail in Louisiana, July 8, 2009
Start: 2009-07-08T15:00
End: 2009-07-08T16:30
Location: Louisiana

July 8, 2009 · NWS LCH · 7 events in 3 counties and zones

Scattered thunderstorms developed across southwest Louisiana during the afternoon, with some becoming severe and producing wind damage, large hail, and flooding.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $11,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 7

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LCH wrote it up.

Scattered thunderstorms developed across southwest Louisiana during the afternoon, with some becoming severe and producing wind damage, large hail, and flooding.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jul 8, 1:12 PM CST, 1 hour 48 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 8, 1:12 PM CST, 1 hour 48 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
212 PM CDT WED JUL 8 2009

.DISCUSSION...
RECENT INCREASE IN CONVECTIVE INTENSITY NEAR LFT AS CELLS WHICH
DEVELOPED FARTHER NORTH AND MOVED SOUTH HAVE INTERACTED WITH
NORTHWARD MOVING OUTFLOW BOUNDARY FROM EARLIER CONVECTION OVER THE
COASTAL WATERS. ACTIVITY INLAND FUELED PRIMARILY BY COMBINATION OF
DAYTIME INSTABILITY AND SHORTWAVE ENERGY DIVING TOWARD THE SOUTH
CENTRAL GULF COAST. THIS ACTIVITY SHOULD DIE OFF EARLY THIS
EVENING.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE ISOLATED OVER
THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS AS MID/UPPER LEVEL RIDGE AMPLIFIES OVER THE
SOUTHERN PLAINS...WITH THE AXIS EVENTUALLY BECOMING E-W ORIENTED
AND STRETCHING EAST INTO THE TN VALLEY. THIS DIRTY RIDGE IS
FORECAST TO REMAIN QUASI-STATIONARY WELL INTO THE UPCOMING
WEEK...WITH THE RESULT BEING A GENERALLY DRY PATTERN WITH ABOVE
NORMAL TEMPERATURES.

&&

.MARINE...
A STALLED FRONTAL SYSTEM NEAR THE COAST WILL BRING SCATTERED
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TONIGHT. HIGH PRESSURE WILL
BUILD OVER THE NORTHERN GULF TOMORROW...WHICH WILL DECREASE THE
CHANCE OF RAIN THROUGH THE WEEKEND. OTHERWISE...A MAINLY LIGHT
SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST FLOW WILL PREVAIL.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
KLCH  78  95  78  94 /  20  20  20  20
KBPT  78  95  78  94 /  20  20  20  20
KAEX  76  98  76  97 /  20  20  20  20
KLFT  76  95  76  94 /  20  20  20  20

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...NONE.
TX...NONE.
GM...NONE.

&&

PUBLIC/MARINE...13

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 8, 3:24 AM CST, 11 hours 36 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
424 AM CDT WED JUL 8 2009

GMZ430-432-435-450-452-455-470-472-475-LAZ027>033-041>045-051>055-
TXZ180>182-201-215-216-090930-
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 EXTENDING FROM 20 NM
TO 60 NM-
WATERS FROM INTRACOASTAL CITY, LA TO CAMERON, LA EXTENDING FROM
20 NM TO 60 NM-
WATERS FROM LOWER ATCHAFALAYA RIVER TO INTRACOASTAL CITY, LA
EXTENDING FROM 20 NM TO 60 NM-VERNON-RAPIDES-AVOYELLES-BEAUREGARD-
ALLEN-EVANGELINE-ST. LANDRY-CALCASIEU-JEFFERSON DAVIS-ACADIA-
LAFAYETTE-UPPER ST. MARTIN-CAMERON-VERMILION-IBERIA-ST. MARY-
LOWER ST. MARTIN-TYLER-JASPER-NEWTON-HARDIN-JEFFERSON-ORANGE-
424 AM CDT WED JUL 8 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE NORTHWEST
GULF OF MEXICO...CENTRAL LOUISIANA...SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA...
SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA...WEST CENTRAL LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT
A WEAK FRONTAL BOUNDARY NEAR THE COAST WILL INTERACT WITH A
PASSING UPPER-LEVEL DISTURBANCE AND MOIST AIRMASS TO PRODUCE
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TODAY...ESPECIALLY OVER LOWER
ACADIANA AND THE ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS. SEVERE WEATHER IS NOT
EXPECTED...ALTHOUGH THE STORMS COULD PRODUCE WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY
SMALL RAIN CHANCES WILL REMAIN IN THE FORECAST THROUGH THE
REMAINDER OF THE PERIOD AS WEAK ENERGY ALOFT INTERACTS WITH THE
SUMMERTIME AIRMASS AND THE AFTERNOON SEA BREEZE OR OUTFLOW
BOUNDARIES. SEVERE WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

25

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 8, 1:21 PM CST, 1 hour 39 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
221 PM CDT WED JUL 8 2009

LAZ044-045-052>055-082015-
UPPER ST. MARTIN LA-LOWER ST. MARTIN LA-LAFAYETTE LA-VERMILION LA-
ST. MARY LA-IBERIA LA-
221 PM CDT WED JUL 8 2009

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR LAFAYETTE...VERMILION...ST. MARY...
IBERIA AND ST. MARTIN PARISHES UNTIL 315 PM CDT...

AT 220 PM CDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS INDICATED BY NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR 4 MILES EAST OF LAFAYETTE...MOVING
SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH.

* THE STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  BROUSSARD BY 240 PM CDT
  YOUNGSVILLE BY 250 PM CDT
  PARKS BY 255 PM CDT
  ST. MARTINVILLE...CADE AND LOREAUVILLE BY 315 PM CDT

FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...PEA SIZE HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS
TO 50 MPH ARE LIKELY WITH THIS STORM. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE
PONDING OF WATER ON AREA ROADWAYS...ESPECIALLY THOSE IN POOR DRAINAGE
AREAS. RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY AND
BE PREPARED TO TAKE THE PROPER ACTIONS SHOULD A WARNING BE ISSUED.

K. KUYPER

Special weather statement, Jul 8, 2:16 PM CST, 44 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
316 PM CDT WED JUL 8 2009

LAZ027-030>033-042-043-TXZ182-082115-
VERNON LA-EVANGELINE LA-ALLEN LA-BEAUREGARD LA-ST. LANDRY LA-
ACADIA LA-JEFFERSON DAVIS LA-NEWTON TX-
316 PM CDT WED JUL 8 2009

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR VERNON...EVANGELINE...ALLEN...
BEAUREGARD...ST. LANDRY...ACADIA AND JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISHES...
SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR NEWTON COUNTY UNTIL 415 PM CDT...

AT 310 PM CDT...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS INDICATED BY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 8
MILES SOUTHWEST OF ELTON TO 10 MILES WEST OF DE RIDDER...OR ALONG A
LINE EXTENDING FROM 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF ELTON TO 10 MILES NORTHEAST
OF MERRYVILLE...MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 20 MPH.

* STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  JUNCTION BY 320 PM CDT
  LONGVILLE BY 330 PM CDT

FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...PEA SIZE HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS
TO 50 MPH ARE LIKELY WITH THIS STORM. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE
PONDING OF WATER ON AREA ROADWAYS...ESPECIALLY THOSE IN POOR DRAINAGE
AREAS. RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY AND
BE PREPARED TO TAKE THE PROPER ACTIONS SHOULD A WARNING BE ISSUED.

The radar

The Lake Charles radar (KLCH), 86 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 thunderstorm wind, 2 flood, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Flood, St. Landry

When: July 8, 3:00 PM CST
Where: St. Landry County, 1.62 mi WSW of Fuslier to 1.96 mi W of Eunice
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 30.511, -92.445

The Eunice News newspaper reported flooding throughout the city of Eunice due to heavy rainfall, with widespread street flooding and flood waters surrounding some residences. Eunice COOP observer measured 4.32 inches of rain, with unofficial media reports in Eunice of 6.5 inches of rain in 90 minutes.

Hail, Calcasieu

When: July 8, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Calcasieu County, 2.43 mi SW of Chennault Indus Airp
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 30.196, -93.180

KPLC-TV relayed report from weather observer of nickel size hail near Highway 14 and Taylor Street intersection.

Flood, Calcasieu

When: July 8, 3:55 PM CST
Where: Calcasieu County, 3.22 mi S of Lake Charles Lake to 3.41 mi S of Lake Charles Lake
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 30.184, -93.235

NWS SCEP Student reported Canal Street in Lake Charles was flooded with cars barely able to drive through the floodwaters.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calcasieu

When: July 8, 4:03 PM CST
Where: Calcasieu County, 0.97 mi WNW of Iowa
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 30.233, -93.036

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down one mile west of Iowa along Highway 90.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calcasieu

When: July 8, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Calcasieu County, 2.07 mi S of Lake Charles Lake
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 30.200, -93.230

A top of a tree was blown off and landed on power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calcasieu

When: July 8, 4:06 PM CST
Where: Calcasieu County, Iowa
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 30.230, -93.020

Power lines were blown down in Iowa, with most of the town without power.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cameron

When: July 8, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Cameron County, 2.6 mi ENE of Sweet Lake
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 29.994, -93.130

A tree was reportedly blown down near Sweet Lake.

What these are

Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Louisiana in 2009 Every state in 2009 This day in weather history Warnings in Louisiana, July 2009

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 190021, 189945, 189967, 189948, 189950, 189962, 189956.