St. Charles Rain Update

St. Charles Parish is under a flash flood watch this evening in advance of inclement weather that could bring two to four inches of rain to parts of the parish between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight.

St. Charles Parish continues to prepare for more rainfall tonight by monitoring drainage systems and pumping down canals to lower-than-normal levels.


Flood fighting crews have been staged along with sandbags and road barricades in various locations around the parish should they become necessary.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office reminds all residents that it is illegal to tamper with pumping stations. Residents should call (985) 783-5050 to report issues with any parish pump.

Workers will be monitoring all parish pump stations and water levels throughout the night. Two portable pumps have been added to increase capacity at the Sunset Drainage District's pumping station in Bayou Gauche. That station houses three permanent pumps.

Crews continue to work on dewatering the onramps and exits to Interstate 310. Please exercise caution in this area.

Assessment is continuing for those businesses and residences who have reported damage to the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center. Parish officials are also asking residents to report any damage and/or flooding to homes or businesses by calling EOC at (985) 783-5050. Red Cross and parish damage assessment teams are currently visiting flooded areas based on this information.

EOC is now reporting a total of 113 homes and businesses sustaining either flooding or other damage from the recent rains.

Water has receded in many areas, including Boutte Estates, Old Spanish Trail in Boutte, Bayou Des Allemands and Bayou Gauche Road. Crews continue to clear debris from pumping stations. The sandbag-fortified berm behind River Ridge Drive is holding, and water is steadily receding in that area as well.

Street flooding in the Willowridge subdivision in Luling is largely due to tidal flooding made worse by rainfall. Pumps in that area are fully operational, but street flooding is not expected to improve until tide levels fall.

St. Charles Parish Sheriff's deputies are patrolling the parish at elevated levels due to the rain event and as part of its Holiday Task Force.

Current road closures include:
• St. Rose Avenue at U.S. 61, St. Rose
• East Harding Street and U.S. 61, New Sarpy
• Magnolia Ridge Road, Boutte
• Westbound U.S. 61 onramp from I-310
• Highway 306 at Bayou Gauche Island, Bayou Gauche


Standing water persists at:
• U.S. 61 and Prospect Avenue, Norco