Excessive rainfall with flood potential is expected to inundate Southwest Louisiana this week as a slow-moving upper-level trough interacts with rich Gulf of Mexico moisture.

The National Weather Service’s Lake Charles office said this is likely a “multi-day, heavy rainfall event” starting later today through at least early Thursday.

“It’s been about three years since we’ve seen anything like this and that’s because of the widespread nature of this event,” Storm Warning Coordinator Doug Cramer said.

Average rainfall totals are expected to be between 4-6 inches during the week.

As conditions become more wet, the flood potential along with the chance for flash flood watches may increase, Cramer said, particularly near the Calcasieu and Mermentau basins.

“At first, urban-type street flooding and poor drainage low-land flooding will be the greatest impact; however, as the week progresses, more hydrologic impacts are possible, along with river flooding,” he said. “It was once stated by an old forecaster that many a drought are ended by floods.”

Calcasieu and Jeff Davis parishes are classified as being in a severe drought while Allen and Beauregard parishes are labeled as in an extreme drought.

There is also a small potential for severe storms on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“This will be due to a highly wind-sheared environment and if any favorable instability can move inland from the coast,” he said. “There’s also a little bit of a tornado environment that we need to keep our eye on. I don’t think our severe weather risk is going to be zero.”

Southeast winds around 20 mph with gusts as high as 35 mphs are expected through 6 p.m. today.

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has sand and bags available to residents free of charge at several parish locations — Former Old Tyme Variety Store location – 810 Ruth St., Sulphur; Public Works East – 5500-B Swift Plant Road, Lake Charles (go to back gates located on James Sudduth Parkway); Ward 1 Barn – 461 Parish Road, Moss Bluff; Ward 2 Barn – 7085 LA 14 East, Hayes;  Ward 3 Old Barn – 2302 Smith Road, Lake Charles; ·                     Ward 5 Barn – 129 Third St., Starks;  Ward 6 Barn – 1275 Plum St., DeQuincy; and Ward 8 Barn – 1726 Parish Barn Road, Iowa.

Sand and bags are provided, but residents must bring their own shovels and fill their own bags. No other outside equipment will be allowed on sandbagging sites.

If lines are long, please limit sandbags to 15 per person. Residents can get back in line multiple times.

Parish staff will be on site to maintain safety operations and supplies.