WEATHER WATCH: More rainfall expected for already waterlogged SW La.

Published 12:15 pm Monday, January 29, 2024

As Southwest Louisiana continues to deal with residual river flooding in the wake of last week’s excessive rain, the region is now facing even more rainfall this weekend.

National Weather Service Lake Charles Storm Warning Coordinator Doug Cramer said most locations in Southwest Louisiana have received more than eight inches of rain in the past 30 days.

“These amounts are roughly 150 to 250 percent above normal therefore streamflows are elevated and wet antecedent conditions exist across the region,” Cramer said.

He said another storm system coming this weekend will bring widespread rainfall to southeast Texas and much of Louisiana Saturday into Sunday, with continued river flooding becoming more likely.

Lake Charles, DeRidder, Oakdale and Jennings have a 60-70 percent chance of receiving at least an inch of rain.

“With wet soil conditions and above normal streamflows that exist across the region, flood sensitivities will be elevated,” Cramer said.

There’s also some early signs for sever weather, as well, Cramer said.