Flash Flood — Washington, Louisiana

2016-03-10 to 2016-03-11 · near Mt Hermon, Washington, Louisiana

Event narrative

Rainfall of 8 to 15 inches fell across much of the parish during the evening and overnight hours. A rainfall observer near Mt. Hermon, in the far northwest section, recorded 16 inches of rainfall. The runoff from the heavy rainfall produced life threatening flash flooding in many areas of the parish. An estimated 1100 homes were flooded along with 30 churches. Approximately 80 roads were damaged or made impassable, mainly from washed out culverts and bridges. Areas that were especially hard hit was near the Fairgrounds in Franklinton, areas of Bogalusa and areas around Mt. Hermon. Numerous search and rescue operations were conducted in the overnight hours rescue residents and motorists from flooded areas. Runoff from the rainfall eventually flowed into the large streams and rivers. Major flood levels were reached on the Bogue Chitto River at Franklinton, the highest level since the severe flooding of April 1983. In the lower portion of the Bogue Chitto River, record crests were reach surpassing the 1983 flooding.

Wider weather episode

A closed upper low moved across the southern United States.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.9998, -90.3402)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 637647. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.