Flash Flood — Calcasieu, Louisiana

2013-01-09 · near (lch)lk Charles Muni, Calcasieu, Louisiana

Event narrative

After a wet start to the year more rain fell on the 9th. Slow moving thunderstorms moved into far Southeast Texas and South Louisiana. Flooding began in Texas, but soon moved into Calcasieu Parish where KLCH recorded 3.67 inches on the day, however just northwest of the airport 6.5' was recorded along Nelson Road. Roads were reported flooded along high 171 in Moss Bluff with water very near homes and along Nelson Road north of Gauthier Road. Many roadways around Lake Charles had varying depths of water making travel difficult. Dozens of homes had flood waters enter them.

Wider weather episode

A stalled frontal boundary along with multiple impulses aloft lead to an extended duration of rain, thunderstorms, and even a couple tornadoes. Massive flooding occurred along the Mermentau River where rainfall totals exceeded one foot at some locations during the event. Flood waters slowly drained over a couple of weeks.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.1300, -93.2200)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 429135. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.