Bossier, Caddo officials monitoring flash flood threat

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Fox Creek residents stacking sandbags in the Fox Creek neighborhood Tuesday night. (Source:... — Fox Creek residents stacking sandbags in the Fox Creek neighborhood Tuesday night. (Source: Bubba Kneipp/ KSLA News 12)

Flooding scare sends Bossier Parish residents into a panic (Source: Bubba Kneipp, KSLA News 12)

BOSSIER PARISH, LA (KSLA) - With recent rainfall and more expected, Bossier and Caddo officials are urging residents to be watchful of water levels.

A flash flood watch has been issued through Thursday afternoon due to predicted widespread heavy rainfall in the north Louisiana region.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service believe heavy thunderstorms could bring an additional one to two inches of rain with up to three inches possible across east Texas and north Louisiana.

"With the additional rainfall we have already experienced and the forecast of more to come, we urge residents of Bossier Parish who live in low lying areas to be cautious and watch the water levels," said Ian Snellgrove, director of the Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

As a precaution, more sandbags are being filled at the Bossier Parish police jury highway department maintenance complex at 410 Mayfield St. in Benton. Sandbags may be picked up from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Drivers are also told to expect road flooding in areas with heavy rainfall or rainfall over an extended period. Snellgrove urged motorists to remember the safety campaign slogan, "Turn Around, Don't Drown.

Some residents in the Fox Chase Subdivision in Bossier Parish have already started noticing rising water. Many of them, are still recovering from last month's floods, found themselves sandbagging again Tuesday evening.

Residents told KSLA News 12 that water from the Fox Skin Bayou started flooding the neighborhood around 7:30 p.m. Neighbors frantically called in friends to help place sandbags around some of the homes. Residents in the area said the water came within feet of getting into their homes.

As of noon on Wednesday, there was no water reported in any homes or businesses in Caddo Parish. Caddo Sheriff's officials report only one road closure in rural parts of the parish in the Keithville Kingston area at the Desoto Parish line.

Sheriff Steve Prator, director of the The Caddo Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness office, recommends Caddo Parish residents register for CodeRED, an emergency notification system that will call/text residents in the event of a potential or pending emergency. It is a free service to the citizens of Caddo Parish.