The NWS warned of the impact of “life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses” in parishes including northwestern Jefferson, southwestern Orleans, and northern St. Charles.
Additional rainfall of one to three inches is possible in the area currently under the warning, the NWS said.
The NWS tweeted early Monday: “A Considerable Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Metro New Orleans! This is a dangerous situation for the roads, and travel should be avoided for now if possible! Turn around, don’t drown. More rain is expected through the morning hours. Be safe! #lawx.” It also shared a radar map of the area under the warning.
A flash flood is “a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain,” the NWS explains.
A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flooding is “imminent or occurring,” it adds.
Some of the areas within the aforementioned parishes expected to experience flash flooding included the following:
New OrleansAvondaleMetairieMarreroHahnvilleHarveyTimberlaneLaplaceJeffersonGretnaHarahanWestwegoWaggamanRiver RidgeAmaSt. RoseElmwoodBridge CityLulingDestrehan
The following interstates were also expected to see flash flooding, according to the NWS:
Interstate 10 in Louisiana between mile markers 215 and 243Interstate 610 between mile markers 1 and 4Interstate 310 between mile markers 1 and 10
The NWS warns: “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.”
A Flash Flood Watch, which is issued when “conditions are favorable” for flooding, is in effect in parts of southeast Louisiana and Mississippi until 12 p.m. CDT time on Monday.
The NWS warns: ‘Showers and storms will produce locally heavy rainfall mainly during the mid to late morning. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches with isolated 3 to 4 inches is possible through midday.
“High rainfall rates could overwhelm drainage capacity. Ponding of water in low lying and poor drainage areas can be expected, with flash flooding possible where the heaviest rain falls,” it adds.
The areas under the Flash Flood Watch include the following, as outlined by the NWS:
In Louisiana
AscensionEast BatonRougeEast FelicianaIbervilleLivingstonNorthern TangipahoaNorthwest St. TammanyPointe CoupeeSoutheast St. TammanySouthern TangipahoaSt. HelenaWashingtonWest Baton RougeWest Feliciana
In Mississippi
HancockHarrisonJacksonPearl River
