Bossier Parish braces for heavy rains, new flood threat

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BOSSIER PARISH, LA (KSLA) - With forecasts calling for heavy rain beginning Friday and into the weekend, Bossier Parish officials are urging residents to keep an eye on water levels, especially those who live in flood-prone and low-lying areas.

Stormtracker 12 Chief Meteorologist Jeff Castle is tracking yet another storm system that may bring heavy downpours and severe weather to the ArkLaTex over the next couple of days.

He says the first of several waves of showers and storms will begin before the sun comes up on Friday.

"Areas near and north of I-30 will see most of the first round of rain Friday morning, but by Friday evening and Friday night all of the area will have to deal with heavy rain and some strong storms."

"Parts of north Louisiana could see up to two to three inches of rain through Saturday and as much as five to six inches of rain is possible across northeast Texas and southwest Arkansas," Castle said.

After a break in the rain in many areas Sunday, more wet weather is expected by Monday and Tuesday. Rain amounts, however, are expected to be an inch or less.

NWS hydrologist Craig Ross said water levels in Bossier Parish streams and bayous continue to drop slightly, but additional rainfall could cause a slight rise, he added.

"The soil remains saturated so we need to keep our noses to the ball for at least another month," he said. "May historically is our wettest month of the year and we expect that trend to continue through mid-June. We don't see this trend going away."

Sandbags are being stockpiled for residents who want to take precautions against high water.

In Bossier Parish, sandbags are available at the police jury highway department maintenance complex, 410 Mayfield St. in Benton from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A self-service location for sandbags has been set up at the Haughton Fire Department station at 224 W. McKinley Ave.