Face of Nation : In August 2016, south Louisiana experienced record flooding and devastation from the more than 2 feet of rain that fell in a matter of three days and overflowed nearly every body of water.
As the state prepares for Tropical Storm Barry, which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before landfall this weekend, residents wonder if their cities once again will be flooded.
Robert Miller, assistant professor of civil engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, said it’s hard to compare the two events, but they could be similar.
“It’s a similar set of circumstances,” Miller said. “There is a lot of Gulf moisture and a disorganized system. It (Barry) could meander around and bring a lot of moisture. It’s unfortunate for our area because we have such low topography.”
That was a big part of the problem in 2016. The system remained nearly stationary over areas of southwest Louisiana like Lafayette and Baton Rouge, causing torrential downpours and flooding.
The Weather Channel estimates the total rainfall over southern Louisiana from Aug. 12-14, 2016, was equivalent to more than 4 trillion gallons of water – enough to fill more than 6 million Olympic-size swimming pools and more water than fell on New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
The maximum rainfall total for the 2016 event was 31.39 inches in Watson, northeast of Baton Rouge. At least five other locations had observed rainfall totals in excess of two feet, all located north or east of Baton Rouge, according to The Weather Channel.
Now with Barry, there’s the added issue of a high storm surge potential, which is something parish emergency preparedness officials find especially concerning.
The potential storm surge doesn’t necessarily mean Barry would be worse for Acadiana than the 2016 flooding though, Miller explained.
Then there was a lower threat of storm surge but 20 inches of rain in Lafayette. Barry could dump fewer inches of rain but have a higher storm surge. They are two different scenarios but could produce similar results.
People seem to be more aware this time because the 2016 flooding left an impression, Miller said. He sees the change in himself.
“A few years ago if I had seen ‘Category 1,’ I would have thought, ‘How bad can it be?'” he said. “But after 2016, it became real for me. I take it seriously. I had family that flooded. I’ve got people in Vermilion Parish. It brings a new dimension. I’m watching it more.”
