Louisiana Braces For Heavy Rain And Flooding This Week

(KMDL-FM) An approaching frontal system and an area of disturbed tropical weather in the Gulf will combine to bring a major flooding threat to almost all of Louisiana today. The flood threat is currently outlined in Flood Watches, which basically include the entire state north of I-10. However, don't be surprised if the coastal sections of the state aren't included in watches and advisories either later today or tomorrow.

The National Hurricane Center is currently monitoring a broad area of low pressure that is centered over northeastern Mexico this morning. This system is expected to move northward and back over the Upper Texas Coast. This system will create an abundant supply of moisture over the area. And will contribute to heavy rains later in the week.

nhc.noaa.gov

Meanwhile, a frontal system is approaching Louisiana from the northwest. That system is expected to stall over Louisiana and the Gulf South, creating a multi-day rain event that could result in significant flooding across the region. It is this system that will be the likely catalyst for rain and strong storms today and Tuesday.

Louisiana Faces Two Major Flood Threats This Week

There are two flooding issues that you'll want to be aware of regarding these systems. First, there is a realistic threat that three to five inches of rainfall could be common across the region through Wednesday.  An additional three to five inches of rain are possible in storms Thursday and Friday.

weather.gov/lch

Needless to say, six to ten inches of rain over five days would create high-water situations in a lot of Louisiana towns. So be aware of rising water from consistent rainfall. But there is a second flood threat that you'll need to consider this week.

READ MORE: NOAA Confirms Tropical Weathermaker Will Affect Louisiana in 2026

In many cases, the rain will fall in the form of strong but brief heavy downpours. So, it won't be raining all the time, but when it does rain, roadways could become inundated quickly, and street flooding will likely occur. The Weather Prediction Center has placed much of the region at risk for those kinds of downpours, especially later in the week when the deep tropical moisture has moved into the state.

weather.gov/lch

If there is a silver lining to these dark clouds, it would be that the Storm Prediction Center is not forecasting any severe storms for the area this week. So, while we get heavy rain and some gusty winds, we should not get severe storms and tornadoes. However, that is subject to change, so do check back over the course of the week. 

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