It was a rough morning as expected with two reported tornadoes in Mire and Cankton, flooding all over Acadiana, and rainfall amounts in excess of 5 inches. Thankfully, there has not been any injuries but many properties have been damaged.
Some rainfall totals around the area:
New Iberia 3.3 *record*
Lafayette 4.0 *record*
Lake Charles 4.11 *record*
Alexandria 3.4 *record*
KATC 3.14
Just unbelievable numbers in a very short time. Many viewers reported flooding up to 11 inches in places that have never flooded before. Rivers remain swolen above flood stage but should begin to slowly recede by Monday.
The tornado reports came will a squall that moved through just before 7am. In Cankton a roof was damaged along with items blown up to a half of a mile away. In Kaplan, a 73 mph wind gust was reported which also damaged a roof. Â
All of this from an occluded front slowly moving eastward producing a very unstable atmosphere with unually high amounts of moisture for this time of year. When a front occludes, it has reached maturity in its development and cold air begins to ride over the warm air. This in turn continues to make the atmosphere more out of balance and rotating storms develop. The squall line moved relatively quickly through our area but seemed to stall over New Orleans where it rained all afternoon and evening. The system is weakening as it moves east due to its far displacement from the center of low pressure but heavy rain will still be possible for the southeast tomorrow.
From here we will begin to dry out and temperatures will be nice and seasonable all week long with our next chance of rain on Thursday.
Happy New Year!
Kari Hall