Traffic lights were reported out Thursday afternoon along the Johnston Street, leading to heavy congestion as rain move through the area.
Authorities say dispatchers received the initial report of the outage in the 6100 block of Johnston Street around 3 p.m., but no update was immediately available on whether the lights have been restored, according to Lafayette Police Department public information officer Robin Green.
Police are urging motorists to use caution as weather conditions worsen.
“Roads are slippery; drive the speed limit or stay slightly under,” Green said. “Expect stops and be patient.”
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for Lafayette Parish until 6 p.m. on Thursday, saying thunderstorms are producing heavy rain across the area. Radar indicated between 2 and 3 inches of rain have already fallen, with additional rainfall expected.
Forecasters warn flash flooding is either ongoing or could begin shortly, especially in low-lying areas, streets, underpasses and places with poor drainage. Cities including Lafayette, Scott, Carencro, Broussard and Youngsville are included in the warning.
Officials urge drivers to avoid flooded roads, noting that most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. “Turn around, don’t drown,” the Weather Service said.
Showers and thunderstorms began moving into the Lafayette area Thursday, with rain becoming more widespread into the evening.
Thursday night, showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue mainly before midnight, with patchy fog possible between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. On Friday, rain chances increase further, with widespread showers and possible thunderstorms throughout the day. Highs are expected to reach near 70 degrees, with gusty northeast winds and periods of steady rainfall.
Forecasters say the storms could produce heavy rain for long periods, with most areas seeing 2 to 4 inches and some spots getting as much as 4 to 8 inches.
That much rain could lead to flooding, especially in low-lying areas and places with poor drainage. The Weather Service puts the chance of flooding Friday between 15% and 39%.
Showers are expected to continue peaking overnight before conditions begin improving Saturday afternoon.