By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, remnants of Barry, continued to sweep across southern portions of Louisiana, July 15, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles issuing flash flood warnings for nine parishes.
The cautions affect northwestern Acadia Parish, Allen Parish, Avoyelles Parish, Beauregard Parish, central Calcasieu Parish, Evangeline Parish, northern Jefferson Davis Parish, southeastern Rapides Parish and northern St. Landry parish.
Oakdale and Oberlin in Allen Parish have both received the largest accumulations of water and are facing serious flooding, NWS noted. Radar and gauge measurements indicate some areas in the parish have received nearly 17 inches of rain with widespread totals of 6 to 12 inches of rain since Sunday evening.
AVOYELLES PARISH
“Moreauville has some really serious flooding right now, which is affecting a lot of people,” said Jacob Crawford, director of missions for the Louisiana Baptist Association, the oldest local association in the state. “It is a miracle there has not been more flooding than what there is right now.”
Crawford also reported that the mission center in Simmesport had some minor flooding and church planter Reggie Arvie, St. James, Bunkie, had some flooding in his home.
The NWS reported additional flooding in Godeau, Cottonport, Bunkie and Marksville.
DEQUINCY
“Last night (July 15) was one of the worst nights I have experienced with the rain, wind, lightning and thunder but we are doing well here,” said Gil Arthur, pastor of the First Baptist Church in DeQuincy. “As far as I know, by God’s grace, we have been spared.
“We have folks ready to go out and help, but so far no one has requested assistance,” said Arthur. “The water is high, but none of our members have reported flooding in their houses. There is no flooding at the church.”
ALLEN PARISH
In Oakdale streets are flooded and water has intruded into the town’s high school.
“I sent a text to all pastors in Mt. Olive to check on them and none have responded back so I’m assuming all is good with them,” said Jerry Johnson, director of missions for the Mt. Olive Baptist Association.
VILLE PLATTE
Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue posted on the police department’s Facebook page that most streets in the city are flooded and urged motorists to stay off the roads.
“Emergency personnel may not be able to get to you if you become stranded on a flooded road.,” he said. “Remember that even if a road is not blocked off, water can be deep which could not only leave you stranded but could also push water into nearby homes.”
Kevin West, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Ville Platte, told the Baptist Message he was unable to reach the church property because roads into the city were blocked. However, Garland Foreman, publisher of the newspaper Ville Platte Gazette, said a bayou that runs by the church had overflowed its banks and water was around the church.
