LAFAYETTE, LA – With heavy downpours expected to begin Tuesday night, the Lafayette Consolidated Government has activated its emergency command center, mobilizing first responders and rescue teams to prepare for severe flooding. Mayor-President Monique Boulet confirmed that the center was activated to ensure a quick and coordinated response to the anticipated weather event.
“All of our first responders and partner agencies are in place and ready,” Boulet said in a statement. “We are fully prepared to respond to whatever comes our way.”
The emergency command center is being operated out of the Lafayette Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP). It includes key personnel from various agencies, including the police, search and rescue teams, and public works departments. These teams will work in tandem to address potential flooding and ensure public safety.
According to forecasters, heavy rainfall is expected to start around midnight and continue through Thursday. The showers are expected to intensify over the next 24 hours, with rainfall totals potentially reaching dangerous levels. Officials have warned that the city’s drainage system, which was not designed to handle such large volumes of water in a short period, could be overwhelmed.
“There’s going to be a lot of rain in a short amount of time,” Boulet said. “Our drainage system just isn’t built to handle this much water.”
As part of the city’s emergency preparedness plan, road closures are expected in flood-prone areas, and search and rescue operations will be underway if necessary. Medical staging areas are also being set up in case of injuries related to the severe weather.
In an effort to mitigate the risks, Lafayette Police have already begun placing barricades in key flood zones, including near the downtown underpass, a known trouble spot. The department’s high-water rescue teams are also on standby, ready to assist if the conditions worsen.
Sgt. Robin Green, spokesperson for the Lafayette Police Department, stressed the importance of following safety measures and staying off the roads during the storm. “Barricades are there for a reason,” Green said. “Don’t go around them—they’re for your safety.”
With the rainstorm moving in, city officials are urging residents to stay off the roads and avoid unnecessary travel to reduce the risk of accidents or getting stranded in flooded areas.
As the storm intensifies, emergency responders remain on high alert, and city officials are closely monitoring conditions to ensure a swift and effective response to any flooding-related issues. Residents are reminded to stay informed through official channels and heed all warnings.