New Orleans: Metro area under flash flood warning

15 June 2008

New Orleans-Heavy rainfall flooded some New Orleans streets Sunday morning. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of the metro area, including New Orleans, Timberlane, Metairie, Marrero, Kenner, Harvey and Avondale.

Radar indicated that 3 to 5 inches of rain has fallen in an hour and a half over much of New Orleans and Jefferson Parish. As much as 1 to 3 inches more is possible.

Several feet of water filled streets in parts of Uptown and Central City, stalling smaller cars and covering sidewalks. Louisiana State Police are en route to close Airline Drive and Clearview Parkway, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.

The National Weather Service issued an urban and small stream flood advisory for Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes. The notice is in effect until 10:30 a.m.

The weather service issued a second advisory to warn of flash flooding in parts of Jefferson Parish, including Avondale, Gretna, Harvey, Kenner, Metairie and Marrero. That notice is in effect until 12:30 p.m.

According to early estimates, some areas received more than 4 inches of rain overnight.

The weather service warns against trying to cross swiftly flowing waters of unknown depth by foot or in a vehicle.
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It was further reported, that there is in some area’s flooded cars, due to the high amount of flooding in New Orleans at 10:00 a.m.

In one instance, a car in a parking area was two-thirds under water and apparently the occupant had to climb out the drivers window; hopefully swimming to safety.

A particular warning about extreme flash flooding conditions, that it is not advisable to drive through these areas, due to the flooding-out of the vehicle which will cause it to quit in many cases, lost of the vehicle or injury and lost of life of the occupants of the vehicle.