Area under tornado watch as second day of storms begins

A car makes its way through floodwaters this morning along Lake Accado Avenue north of Thibodaux.

Abby Tabor/Staff

Published: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 10:29 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 10:29 a.m.

Streets flooded in parts of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes this morning amid heavy rains that are expected to continue into Thursday.

The Houma-Thibodaux area and most of southeast Louisiana are under a flash-flood watch through Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.

Lafourche Parish is asking residents to pick up or secure loose objects from yards that could be carried by wind or moving water and clog catch basins and culverts. Empty garbage cans and their covers should be moved away from roadside ditches to prevent drainage obstruction.

Sheriff's deputies put up barricades at Lake Accardo Avenue, residents said. One house flooded on that street.

Barricades have also been placed, according to Lafourche spokeswoman Loralei Gilliam, on the following Thibodaux roads:

? Allamand Lane

? Brandywine

? Parkside Dr

? Louisa

? Summerfield Rd.

? East Winder

? Emerald Park

Thibodaux received more than 5 inches of rain overnight, according to the Weather Service. Parts of northern Terrebonne received 3 inches; Houma saw about an inch.

Officials in both parishes as well as the city of Thibodaux said they were working to keep drainage systems operating at full capacity.

"We're making sure all the culverts are clear and the pumps are working efficiently because we're expecting more rain tonight," Gilliam said. "There's supposed to be another large storm coming through."

A strong and slow-moving storm system drifting west across the area from the Gulf of Mexico is expected to drop 1-3 inches of rain across the area through Thursday evening, the Weather Service said. Isolated areas could see another 5 inches before the storm passes. Since the ground is already saturated, the threat of flooding is heightened.

"A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible on Thursday, with the main threat being strong to possibly damaging winds and an isolated tornado," the National Weather Service said in an advisory. "Rainfall rates will be very high in thunderstorms and heavier showers, so areas that experience repeat heavy rainfall will have a threat of flash flooding."

For updates, check houmatoday.com or dailycomet.com.

How you can help

Lafourche Parish is asking the public, according to spokeswoman Loralei Gilliam:

? Be cautious driving on roads with standing water

? Drive slowly on residential streets, do not make wakes that can push water into homes

? Do not drive around barricades

? Call and report flooding at 537-7603

Source: http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20130109/articles/130109710

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