Parish under flash flood warning. Local widespread flooding being report. Roads closed.

OEP Director Joey Frank is reporting widespread flooding across Avoyelles Parish this morning. A flash flood warning in effect for Avoyelles Parish until 2 PM Saturday. Heavy rains that started Friday afternoon has continued into Saturday morning. Several inches of rain has fallen overnight Friday. Louis Coco of KLIL Radio gave rain totals in the last 24 hours as: Marksville-12.6 inches; Hamburg-11.5 inches; Bayou Jacque-11.7 inches; Cocoville-10 inches; Eola-7.7 inches and Bunkie-7 inches. Coco expects those rain totals to increase as more rain will fall today and tonight. Coco said a slow moving low pressure system similar to a tropical depression is moving across the area. The system is "crawling" and could take another 24 hours before leaving the area. Frank reported homes are flooded but he had no exact number.

Reported road closures include:
LA. 114 between Mansura and Hessmer; LA. 107 (Leglise Street) in Mansura; LA 107 from Plaucheville to LA Hwy 361.

Water is being reported on the following roads: Big Bend-Hamburg Road; Main Street-Pershing Hwy in Bunkie; and several city streets around the parish.

Officials are urging residents not to drive in flooded areas. Wakes can cause water to be pushed into businesses and residences. Please remember "Turn Around Don't Drown" and avoid driving on flooded roads.

Frank said sandbags and sand are available at the Parish Barn on Valley Street in Mansura. Any resident needing sandbags are required to bring a shovel and fill their own bags that are needed to protect their property. If further assistance is needed please call 911 or 318-253-4000. Limited number of sandbags are also available in Bunkie at the Warehouse on Oak Street. Residents must fill their own sandbags.