Iberia Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness/911

01/02/2020

Iberia Parish – From the National Weather Service:

Rain with a few thunderstorms will linger into tonight, but coverage will be decreasing after midnight and end Friday morning. There is a small risk for damaging winds, tornadoes, and heavy rain, mainly east of an Alexandria to Lake Charles line.

A dry weekend is expected with near normal temperatures.

A cold front passage late Monday into early Tuesday only brings a small chance for rain. The next rain maker will begin next Thursday.

12/31/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

It's looking increasingly likely that we'll be dealing with a soggy start to the new year. An area of low pressure is expected to form in the northwest Gulf of Mexico and move ashore late Wednesday through Thursday. Periods of heavy rain will be possible throughout Thursday, leading to a marginal risk of excessive rainfall and the threat of localized flash flooding. Currently the forecast is calling for 1 to 3 inches of total rainfall with some locally higher amounts. Additionally, where instability can build in during the day, a marginal severe threat will be evident with gusty winds and an isolated tornado or two as the primary threats.

12/16/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Weather Service is forecasting strong to severe storms today. The threat will diminish later this evening after the cold front passes through. Damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes are possible. See the attached graphics for each hazard threat.

11/25/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

There is a low, marginal 5% chance for strong to severe storms Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night. Damaging winds or an isolated tornado are possible.

11/21/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

11/20/2019

Iberia Parish Government

Iberia Parish Government Is Now Hiring!

11/12/2019

232-HELP / Louisiana 211

HOMELESS FREEZE PLAN FOR ACADIANA
(updated at 4:10pm)

• Freedom World Church will be open 11/12/2019 and 11/13/2019; 212 Delord Street, Lafayette: also seeking donations of food, blankets, coats

• St. Joseph’s Shelter for anyone seeking shelter need to arrive by 5pm; 425 St. John Street, Lafayette; “anyone” includes women

• Salvation Army accepting men should arrive for dinner between 4-5pm for the rest of this week; will accept until at capacity (50 beds); 212 Sixth Street, Lafayette: also seeking donations of blankets and coats

• Outreach Center is taking anyone seeking shelter; 625 N University Ave; Accepting anyone no later than 7pm and allowed to stay until temperatures rise above freezing

• Iberia Homeless Shelter, accepting men 24 hrs, after 6pm those seeking shelter need to call 337.369.9900; 307 Robertson Street, New Iberia

• The Refinery Mission accepting men show up and ring bell if door is locked; 704 W. South Street, Opelousas

11/12/2019

From the National Weather Service:

We are expecting a hard freeze (temperatures in the mid 20s) tonight for areas along and north of the I-10 corridor. This is basically our entire forecast area except the coastal parishes.

Temperatures will be at or below freezing for 8 to 12 hours in southeast Texas, southwest and south central Louisiana, and 10 to 14 hours in east Texas and central Louisiana.

During cold spells like this, remember to protect your outdoor pets, plants, and pipes. In addition, the risk for house fires increases during cold weather because of improper usage of space heaters. Do not place them within 3 feet of your bed, furniture, or anything that could catch on fire. Do not leave them on when you are not home. Extension cords are not recommended, but if you have to use one, be sure it is at least a 14 gauge. The smaller extension cords can melt and cause a fire.

11/05/2019

From M. Larry Richard, Iberia Parish President:

If you have questions or wish to RSVP, please call the letter on the attached letter or call the Iberia Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness at 337-369-4427.

10/30/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles is expecting showers and thunderstorms to develop later today. There is a marginal 5% risk for strong to severe storms, mainly in the afternoon and evening hours.

The activity is expected to develop early this afternoon across southeast Texas and will spread into southwest and central Louisiana during the remainder of the day. The threat of severe weather will diminish this evening as a cold front begins to move through the area.

The main threat with these storms will be damaging winds. Large hail and an isolated tornado will also be possible. Rain totals are forecast to be an inch or less.

Much colder conditions are expected by late tonight and Thursday. Temperatures on Thursday will range from the mid 40s to lower 50s. Rain will be possible earlier in the day then gradual clearing.

10/25/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Weather Service has declared the system over the west central Gulf as Tropical Depression 17 this morning. An aircraft will investigate this system early this afternoon. While there is a chance of this depression becoming a tropical storm (next name: Olga), it would likely only remain a tropical storm for just a few hours. It is forecasted to merge with a cold front and move into south central Louisiana by this evening. No tropical storms warnings are expected across our area.

Locally, we can expect the following impacts from this system and approaching front:

Rainfall: 1-4 inches with locally 8 inches through Saturday afternoon. Highest amounts will be over southwest and central Louisiana and Acadiana Region. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for much of southwest, south central and central Louisiana.

Coastal Flooding: Tides will be 1-2 feet above normal with minor coastal flooding expected at high tide. A Coastal flood Advisory is in effect for coastal counties/parishes including Calcasieu parish.

Rain and the coastal flood potential should end by Saturday morning.

10/24/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

A cold front will move across the region Friday, giving us 2 to 4 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts. Some roads could flood during periods of heavy rain.

Rain ends early Saturday, and the remainder of the weekend is dry.

The next cold front moves through Wednesday, giving us the next chance for rain.

In the tropics, an area of low pressure in the Bay of Campeche has a medium 60% chance to develop today or tonight, but it will be absorbed by the cold front on Friday.

10/24/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Hurricane Center has increased the chance for a tropical depression to form in the Gulf of Mexico to a medium 50%.

However, even if this system develops, it will quickly merge with a cold front on Friday and dissipate.

10/23/2019

Telecommunicators from the Iberia Parish Communications District and the New Iberia Police Department recently held a pumpkin decorating contest between their employees. These are the pumpkins from that contest. Those shown individually were the winners of the contest.

10/23/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring an area of disturbed weather in the Bay of Campeche. There is a low 30% chance for tropical development late this week into the weekend. This system is not expected to directly impact us as a strong cold front moves through our region on Friday.

However, there is a slight risk for excessive rainfall on Friday for most of our region. Expect to see 2 to 5 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts. Soome street flooding will be possible during the heavier rains late Thursday into Friday.

In addition, tides will run one to two feet above normal starting tonight through Friday. During high tide, there will be minor coastal flooding through the end of the week.

10/21/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles is monitoring a line of thunderstorms moving across southeast Texas. As of 7 am, there are severe thunderstorm warnings in effect for Tyler, Jasper, Newton, and Hardin Counties. Damaging winds, large hail, and an isolated tornado are all possible.

This line of storms will move east across our region this morning.

The timing of the storms is as follows:

Southeast Texas: now through 10 am
Southwest Louisiana: 8 am through noon
Central Louisiana: now through noon
South Central Louisiana: 10 am through 3 pm

10/18/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 is approaching the central Gulf this morning. It will continue to move northeast and is forecasted to be inland over the Florida panhandle Saturday morning.

There is a 90 percent chance that this will become a tropical depression or tropical storm (next name is Nestor). Regardless of this system's status, the only significant impacts for our area will be higher than normal tides through the weekend .

10/17/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 is located in the SW Gulf of Mexico, but the only noticeable impacts expected in our region will be in the form of higher tides as the system moves to the NE.

A strong cold front is set to move through the region through the day on Monday. This front will bring the potential for strong to severe storms, with damaging wind gusts, hail, and tornadoes all as possible hazards.

High pressure builds in for the middle portion of the work week with low precipitation chances and a return to near normal temperatures.

10/17/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

As of 7 am Thursday, the National Hurricane Center has increased the chances for tropical development in the Gulf of Mexico to a high 80%. This system will move northeast and miss our region, but we do expect to see tides run above normal through the weekend. You could see some minor coastal flooding during high tide.

10/16/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Hurricane Center is continuing to monitor an area of low pressure over the Bay of Campeche and southern Mexico. NHC gives this system a medium 50% chance for tropical development.

This system is forecasted to lift northeast and is expected to be between southeast Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle by Friday night.

The primary weather impacts for our region will be increased tides. Minor coastal flooding will be possible towards the end of this week and weekend during periods of high tide.

10/15/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a trough of low pressure over central America, which is expected to be in the southern Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday afternoon. As it moves north to northeast Thursday and Friday, NHC gives this system a medium 40% chance for tropical development.

This potential system will merge with a cold front late this weekend as it moves towards southeastern Louisiana.

The primary weather impacts for our region will be increased tides. Minor coastal flooding will be possible towards the end of this week and weekend during periods of high tide.

09/24/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Hurricane Center is still carrying a low 20% chance for tropical development in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. A weak low pressure area will move into northeastern Mexico by Friday night or Saturday.

The only local weather impacts from this system will be tides running around a foot above normal, which may cause minor coastal flooding during high tides this week.

Elsewhere in the tropics, the 3 tropical storms out in the Atlantic - Jerry, Karen, and Lorenzo, will not have any impact on our weather through the weekend.

09/23/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a weak area of low pressure just northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The system is forecasted to move slowly westward through this week and has a low (20%) chance of development. At this time, this system is expected to move into northeast Mexico by this weekend.

The main impact will be higher than normal tides through this week. By late this week, there will be increased threat for coastal flooding. We will have minimal rain chances through this week. However, as this system approaches northeast Mexico, rain chances will increase this weekend.

Elsewhere, the tropical Atlantic remains active. Tropical Storm Jerry is expected to move further east of the U.S. Tropical Storm Lorenzo is just off the African coast. Current long term forecasts show Lorenzo remaining over the central or eastern Atlantic. Finally Tropical Storm Karen will affect Puerto Rico on Tuesday and continue north through most of the week. We will likely need to continue to monitor Karen through at least early next week as long term forecasts suggest a westward movement toward the U.S. beginning this weekend.

09/12/2019

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

The National Hurricane Center has started advisories on potential tropical cyclone 9, currently in the Bahamas. It will likely cause slow downs in recovery efforts in the Bahamas thanks to gusty winds and rainfall through Friday/Saturday.

This system could impact Florida this weekend, but does not pose a threat to the Gulf of Mexico at this time.

Meanwhile, a tropical wave far out in the Atlantic has a medium 40% chance for development early next week. It is too early to say if this system will impact the Gulf of Mexico, as it is over a week away from that potential scenario. It should continue to be monitored.

09/11/2019

From the National Weather Service:

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles is monitoring an active tropical pattern.

A tropical wave stretches across eastern Cuba and the Bahamas. NHC gives this system a medium 40% chance for tropical development through Friday, and a 60% chance through the weekend. This system could become a tropical depression near the Bahamas or Florida as early as Friday, and could strengthen as it enters the eastern Gulf of Mexico this weekend. Since this system is still in the development stage, where it could make landfall or how strong it will be in the Gulf of Mexico is still uncertain. All interests in the Gulf should continue to monitor this potential system this week and weekend.

Locally we are forecasting higher than normal rain chances this weekend, and tides will run a foot above normal, which will cause minor coastal flooding during high tides.

Two tropical waves further out in the Atlantic have a low 10-30% chance for tropical development through the weekend. We will need to monitor these systems as one of them could be in the Caribbean next week. It is too early to say if it will reach the Gulf, or how strong it would be in the Gulf.

09/10/2019

From the National Weather Service:

We will be monitoring a tropical disturbance currently north of Haiti/Dominican Republic this week. This area is expected move northwest into the northeast or north central Gulf by this weekend. There is 30 percent chance for this system to develop into at least a tropical depression, especially when this disturbance emerges in the Gulf. At this time, we are expecting slightly higher rain chances as this system approaches this weekend.

Elsewhere, a tropical wave over the south central Atlantic will continue moving westward and arrive in the eastern Caribbean this weekend. This system bears watching as well, but at this time it is not expected to develop significantly through the weekend.

We will continue to provide daily updates on these systems until they are no longer threats to our region.

As a reminder, today (September 10) is climatologically considered the peak day of hurricane season. As the attached graphic shows, while we will be at the highest level today, the hurricane season can remain quite active even well into October.

08/29/2019

08/09/2019

Today, Iberia Parish Government recognizes Deborah Conner for her 40 plus years of service to Iberia Parish Government and to the citizens of Iberia Parish. Deborah works for the Iberia Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness/911. Pictured are Iberia Parish President M. Larry Richard, Mrs. Conner and Iberia OHSEP Director Prescott Marshall.

08/06/2019

www.weather.gov

From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:

For your awareness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a national test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at 1:20 p.m. CDT. The test will assess the system's readiness to distribute an emergency message nationwide. The test message will clearly state that the alert is only a test of the EAS. In the event that widespread severe weather or another significant event occurs on August 7, 2019, the test will be postponed until Wednesday, August 21, 2019, at 1:20 p.m. CDT.

For more information about this test, please visit: https://www.weather.gov/media/notification/pns19-22eas_national_test.pdf

Because of the national test of the Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, we will be delaying this week's Routine Weekly Test of NOAA Weather Radio until Thursday, August 8th, between 11 a.m. and Noon.