PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (LA) Flood response to Hurricane Delta

Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2020 12:51:15 EDT

Summary: Field crews measuring small basin streams today in response to rain produced by Hurricane Delta.

Hurricane Delta made landfall on Friday, 10/9/20 near Creole, LA, and moved northeast through Louisiana. Some storm surge near the coast and heavy rains further inland (up to 11.6 inches in central Louisiana) has led to local flooding in smaller basins with larger basins expected to peak over the next several days. NWS Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center is currently predicting major flooding at six gages and moderate flooding at 7 more in the Calcasieu-Mermentau-Vermilion River Basins over the next several days.

One stream in the Ouachita-Tensas River Basin has exceeded the period of record peak (1942-current. 51 sq mile drainage area).

No additional streamgages were destroyed by Hurricane Delta. Two streamgages experienced sensor malfunctions but continued to transmit through the hurricane. Crews will repair these sensors within the next few days.

Two personnel from the Ruston office are measuring streams in smaller basins today and are assessing the need for flagging or indirect measurements. Larger basins will be slower to peak and will be measured through next week.