BOGALUSA - An afternoon wind and rain storm blew down trees and power lines across Washington Parish, and caused Bogalusa streets and homes to flood with water Thursday, officials said.
The storm dropped an estimated 3 to 4 inches of rain within one hour over portions of southeast Washington Parish, according to the National Weather Service. About 10 to 15 homes in different areas of the city were flooded with one or two inches of water, Bogalusa Public Works Director James Hall said.
 DAILY NEWS PHOTO/Marcelle Hanemann Benches at Cassidy Park in Bogalusa are surrounded by water today, a day after a storm dropped a heavy rain on the parish. Advertisement |
Cars were up to the hubcaps as drivers negotiated city streets that quickly filled with water during the downpour that began shortly after 3 p.m.
"We've had a lot of wrecks," BPD spokesperson Darrel Darden said. But there were no injuries or major traffic accidents, he added.
Downed trees and power lines were reported on state highways 436 and 62, and in Pine, Varnado and Angie, said Capt. Fred Kirby with the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. WPSO received no report of injuries either, Kirby said.
Bogalusa Public Works and Fire Department officials did help evacuate Roland McMahan and Christine Daniel, who were living in a tent beneath the Bogue Lusa Creek bridge on Sullivan Drive.
Daniel said during the storm, their tent was shaking like crazy, and seemed like it might blow away.
Then, the water started to rise.
"It came up real quick," said McMahan, estimating the water rose 3 feet within a couple of hours. "I told her we'll probably have to go to higher ground."
McMahan said his fishing pole and a chair got swept downriver.
The two were able to walk away on their own accord, and Firefighters carried the couple's tent and other belongings from the creek bank.
City Chaplain Don Miley, who was at the scene, said he was working to find the couple a place to stay for the night.
Mike Shields, a senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Slidell, said total rainfall Thursday was 5 inches in some areas of the parish. Dime-sized hail was also reported in Bogalusa, he said.
It is very difficult for Bogalusa to handle more than 1 inch of rain per hour, Hall said, adding his department was stretched thin during Thursday's storm. "Last night, we had flooding in the entire city."
Hall reminded citizens to keep their storm drains clean, which can help prevent flooding.
The forecast for tonight is mostly clear, with a low around 34. For Saturday - when the Krewe of MCCA is scheduled to roll about 1 p.m. - the forecast is sunny, with a high near 64, with winds between 5 and 10 mph.
Parade officials said Thursday's storm caused no change for the Saturday festivities. There is a 20 percent chance of rain Saturday night.
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