Forecast says more rain for southwestern Louisiana

PanARMENIAN.Net - As water levels already at or above flood stage continue rising in rivers in southwestern Louisiana, the weather forecast says more rain is on the way.

But it won't be as bad as the torrents that have caused widespread flooding in seven parishes, the National Weather Service predicts. There is about a 20% to 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms in much of the region through Monday, Jan 7.

Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon after thunderstorms drenched the state with as much as a foot of rain this week. Hundreds of people have been evacuated. There were no initial reports of injuries.

Many rivers in the southwest, closer to Texas, where flooding has been prominent, are still rising and expected to crest over the weekend. At least one is predicted to hit major flood stage.

The flood region is a low-lying prairie, and water about thigh-deep spread over a broad region, inundating homes and cars.

The town of Eunice has had 12.25 inches of rain since Tuesday, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service said.

St. Landry Parish spokeswoman Megan Vizena said 30% of the area was underwater, CNN reported.