Flash Flood — Iberia, Louisiana

2001-06-06 to 2001-06-07 · near Jefferson Is, Iberia, Louisiana

Event narrative

Between five and ten inches of rain fell in less than three hours, resulting in significant flooding in rural sections of western Iberia Parish. More importantly, sections of US 90 were closed between Lafayette and New Iberia for over 12 hours as a result of the large amount of rain in such a short time span. Hundreds of motorists were stranded for hours waiting for flooded roadways to open up.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Allison caused minor problems along coastal sections of southwest Louisiana, but eventually resulted in catstrophic flood losses further inland. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph resulted in minor roof damage to less than ten homes along the coast in Cameron Parish between the evening of June 5th and the early morning hours of June 6th. A two foot storm surge resulted in minor beach erosion and portions of Highway 82 between Johnson Bayou and Holly Beach to go under water during high tide during the nighttime high tide of June 5th to 6th. The specific flood events that occurred between June 6th and 10th were a result of the remnants of Tropical Storm Allison, as it meandered across southeast and east Texas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5254308. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.