Officials warn about severe morning storms

Threats of thunderstorms are expected to continue this morning throughout Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana, and some may be severe enough to produce a few tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds, local weather officials said Friday.

Roger Erickson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Lake Charles, said during a weather briefing that today’s rain chances range anywhere from 50 percent to 90 percent. He said the storms could produce 1 to 4 inches of rainfall.

Scattered thunderstorms began Friday afternoon in and around east Texas and increased overnight. Erickson said the storm system should dissipate by this afternoon in lower Acadiana.

Friday saw sustained winds ranging from 15 to 20 mph, with gusts of up to 35 mph.

The front will cause temperatures to drop to the low to mid-40s on Sunday, with highs in the mid-60s. Sustained winds are expected to reach 15 to 20 mph, with gusts of up to 35 mph.

Monday’s low temperatures are expected to be in the upper 30s to low 40s, and the low 40s to upper 50s on Tuesday. Forecasts show little to no rain chances throughout next week.

Erickson said several rivers continue to flood. There is minor flooding on the Sabine River near Bon Wier and Deweyville; the Calcasieu River near Glenmora and Old Town Bay; and the Atchafalaya River near Morgan City.

Dick Gremillion, Calcasieu Office of Emergency Preparedness director, said the weather briefing was held in part because of the severe weather that impacted the area last weekend. He said three or four tornadoes were reported during the storm. No one was injured, he said.

“It’s unusual to have that many at one time,” Gremillion said. “The (current forecast) is similar to last weekend.”

Gremillion said residents should prepare for possible power outages. He said it is a good idea to be prepared for severe weather, since the Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1.

Onlineweather.gov/lch.

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