Flash Flood — Lafayette, Louisiana

2001-06-06 to 2001-06-07 · near Youngsville, Lafayette, Louisiana

Event narrative

Over ten inches of rain fell in the Youngsville area, resulting in nearly 400 homes and businesses with flood water damages. With US 90 closed between Lafayette and New Iberia, many people risked their life by driving around road barricades into deep, moning water. Fire and police rescue personel used water ski-doos to retrieve dozens of people from roofs of vehicles, and even trees.

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 5254376. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.