Flood warnings persist across Southwest Louisiana, according the National Weather Service.

“Flooding will continue to slowly recede on the smaller creeks and bayous across the area through tonight and tomorrow,” a bulletin from the weather service said.

“However, the larger rivers and bayous will continue to rise at least through the day.”

School in Jefferson Davis Parish will be canceled again today, with officials warning residents along the Mermentau River to prepare for flooding by the weekend.

Superintendent David Clayton said officials decided to cancel classes after assessing road and flood conditions in the parish.

“We still have 50-70 roads with washouts and water over the road, and more rising water is expected overnight,” he said.

Many of the school buses begin their routes in the pre-dawn hours — a major safety concern, he said.

While most of the rain stopped Thursday afternoon, officials were still monitoring flood concerns along waterways and low-lying areas.

The west fork of the Calcasieu River is expected to rise to near 7 feet by tonight before falling below flood stage by Sunday evening, according to the weather service. Flood stage is 5 feet.

The Calcasieu River at Old Town Bay was expected to rise to 6 1/2 feet. Flood stage is 4 feet.

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury on Thursday issued a list of 20 roads that had “excess water” on them Thursday morning.

Jefferson Davis Sheriff Ivy Woods issued a warning to residents along the Mermentau River to prepare for flooding.

The river is expected to rise to 8 1/2 feet this weekend near Castex Landing, according to the weather service.

Flood stage on the Mermentau River is 4 feet. The last time it rose to this level was in 2004, the weather service said.

La. 3166 in the Castex Landing area could have 4 1/2 feet of water over the roadway by this weekend, officials said.

The Catfish Point Locks are open and draining, but flooding is expected to be substantial in lower-lying areas, Woods said.

Online: www.srh.noaa.gov/lch.

Rain gauges placed throughout Calcasieu Parish indicated the parish received an average of 5 inches of rainfall over the last two days. (Rick Hickman / American Press)