Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, City of Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish Government and other Parish Officials participated in online webinar from the National Weather Service concerning Tropical Storm Cindy June 20.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for Louisiana. Flood producing rain and strong winds are expected to begin today and continue through the middle of the week. Cleco crews, along with contractor crews, are on stand-by, prepared to respond to possible weather related outages.
SUMMARY AS OF June 20 AT 9 PM:
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LOCATION…26.2N 90.3W
ABOUT 250 MI…400 KM SSE OF MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA
ABOUT 350 MI…560 KM SE OF GALVESTON TEXAS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…45 MPH…75 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…STATIONARY
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…997 MB…29.44 INCHES
A Flash Flood Watch has been posted for all of Northern Louisiana beginning at 7 pm Wednesday and continuing through 7 am Friday. Newly formed Tropical Storm Cindy in the Central Gulf of Mexico will continue to move northwest over the next 24-36 hours and is expected to make landfall somewhere near the Southeast Texas or Southwest Louisiana Gulf Coast.
The storm will then move inland across Northeast Texas or Northwest Louisiana and has the potential to produce excessive, flood producing rainfall before its remnants exits our area early Friday Morning.Widespread 4-8 inch rainfall amounts will be possible with isolated higher totals across the Watch area beginning Wednesday Night and continuing through early Friday Morning.
GHOSEP is currently being staffed around the clock and is coordinating with state agencies, parish officials and first responders who are putting resources in place for citizens who may need assistance.
State and parish governments have mobilized various agencies to provide resources when and if needed. The Louisiana National Guard has moved high water vehicles and helicopters into areas that could potentially flood. FEMA is moving 125,000 meals and 200,000 liters of water into the state and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is prepared to support any requests from the affected parishes.
State officials strongly encourage individuals to avoid attempting to cross high water in vehicles.