LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - A deluge that began before dawn Sunday flooded houses and cut off roads across southwest Louisiana.
Radar estimates more than 6 inches of rain fell in parts of Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis parishes and more than 5 inches fell in parts of Acadia, Lafayette, St. Landry and St. Martin parishes, as bands of thunderstorms moved from west to east. Much of the area was already soggy from rain Saturday and earlier.
Mike Marcotte, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Lake Charles, said more rain remained likely through Monday. He added that forecasters are keeping all of south Louisiana under a flash flood watch through Monday evening.
“Things don’t look like they start to die off until Monday night into Tuesday,” Marcotte added.
Some of the worst flash flooding was between Lafayette and Opelousas, where Interstate 49 was closed for a time Sunday morning. Police and government agencies rescued motorists near Sunset and Grand Coteau, as well as in Lake Charles. Many other state and local roads were closed.
Flooding of homes and businesses was reported in places including Lake Charles, Carencro and Henderson. Some cities and parishes announced Sunday they were handing out sandbags.
In Westlake, Police Chief Chris Wilrye said multiple streets were impassible and residents reported flooding. In Lake Charles, two vehicles were swept into a pedestrian bridge by water rushing over a neighboring road.
In the New Orleans area, rain continued to play havoc with the Zurich Classic golf tournament and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Hail was reported Sunday in Lake Charles, Plaquemine, White Castle, Gonzales and Cut Off.
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