Today's weather event produced approximately 4.5 inches of rain across the northern portion of Central, placing significant stress on our drainage system for a short period of time.
Our crews have been out throughout the day addressing concerns and will be inspecting problem areas again tomorrow as we prepare for additional rain expected later this week.
As drainage systems go, ours performed well today. The reality is that Beaver Bayou and Blackwater Bayou can only carry so much water before roadside ditches begin serving as temporary detention areas. We experienced some localized flooding issues, but fortunately the water remained within the drainage system and did not enter homes. In an era of increasingly intense rainfall events, that is a small but important victory.
The regional detention projects currently being advanced by the City will provide additional storage capacity and allow us to address culvert choke points that restrict flow throughout the system. These improvements are critical to increasing the overall resilience of our drainage network.
If you experienced standing water in your yard, please email photos along with your address to cocpublicworks@central-la.gov. Our team will catalog the locations, evaluate the conditions, and identify potential opportunities for improvement.
If you are able to safely check your culvert inlets and remove any debris or blockages, please do so. If you are unable to clear them yourself, or if you observe an issue after water levels recede, please email cocpublicworks@central-la.gov or report them to public works at 225-262-5000.
Please remain weather aware and prepared as additional rainfall is expected throughout the week.
Stay weather ready.
Wade Evans
Mayor, City of Central