The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles is monitoring major flooding on the Sabine, Neches, and Calcasieu Rivers. We are still expecting some rivers to crest this weekend, including the Calcasieu River at Old Town Bay on Saturday, and the Red River at Alexandria on Sunday night. The Atchafalaya River at Morgan City will crest a week from Friday, March 25.

The Sabine River near Orange is expected to hold near 7.5 feet for another 24 hours. However, the city of Orange and areas north of I-10 towards Little Cypress should see slowly receding waters during this time.

We are expecting scattered showers and thunderstorms today through Saturday morning. Rain totals will be less than an inch in most places, except towards south central Louisiana where they could get over an inch. There will also be a small severe weather threat for damaging winds and large hail this afternoon through Friday.

Be cautious in areas that normally drain into the Sabine, Neches, Calcasieu, or Red Rivers through Saturday. Due to the high water levels on these rivers, localized flooding could occur due to poor drainage conditions when it rains today through Saturday morning.

This weekend will see temperatures cool off, with highs in the 60s and lows Sunday morning in the 40s, and by Monday morning in the mid 30s in central Louisiana to the lower 40s along the I-10 corridor.

Next week will start out with dry weather, but rain chances return to the forecast Wednesday, with better rain chances next Thursday.

Along the coast, tides will run above normal today through Saturday morning, then run below normal Saturday afternoon and Sunday, before returning to above normal conditions next week. Minor coastal flooding will occur during high tides when the winds are blowing out of the south.