Updated 4:14 p.m. 7/8/2024
Power outages are once again choking Bossier Parish. As a result of the storms that pummeled the parish this afternoon, SWEPCO is reporting over 8,700 customer outages, which is 13% of SWEPCO customers in the parish.
Large swaths of affected areas include the north and south of Highway 162 just east of Benton, the area along and south of Hwy 527 in Koran, the area between Sligo and Oakland, and the area along Old Plain Dealing Road south of Plain Dealing.
Flash Flood Warning and Tornado Watch in effect for Bossier Parish
The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Central Bossier Parish.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect for Bossier Parish until 10 p.m. tonight. A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in and close to the watch area. During a tornado watch, you should remain alert and be prepared to take action if a tornado warning is issued.
A Flood Watch is in effect through Tuesday afternoon. There is also a Wind Advisory until 1 a.m. Tuesday.
The storm moved inland across the mid-Texas coast this morning and is gradually weakening. The ArkLaTex will experience wind speeds exceeding 20 mph, with portions of Deep East Texas possibly bordering on Tropical Storm force wind speeds of nearly 40 mph.
The unstable airmass will support a heightened tornado threat across much of the ArkLaTex today through the early evening hours.
The most significant impact from Beryl will be to the west of Bossier Parish, where rainfall totals as high as 6 inches are expected, with isolated higher amounts. The National Weather Service forecasts rain accumulations in Bossier Parish to be 2-3 inches with wind gusts up to 50 mph.
Sandbags are available
Bossier Parish officials want to remind residents that sandbags are available throughout the parish if needed. Sandbag storage containers have been placed throughout the parish, and residents can get sandbags from the following locations:
• Highway Department, 410 Mayfield, Benton, 318-965-3752.
• South Bossier Fire District #2, 1325 Robinson Rd., Elm Grove, 318- 987-2555
• Haughton Fire District #1, 4494 Hwy 80, Haughton, 318-949-9440
• Town of Plain Dealing, 205 W. Palmetto, Plain Dealing
• Town of Haughton, 120 W. McKinley Ave, Haughton, 318-949-9401
Please call the phone numbers on the bins to access sandbags at satellite locations. The highway department operates between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note that these times may change during emergencies.
Sandbags are also available in Bossier City and can be picked up at 3223 Old Shed Rd. between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Look for updates throughout the day at BossierNow on Substack.
Bossier City free time calendar
Live music in Bossier City and other notable events in the area for your free time consideration.
July 12: The Louisiana State Ballooning Championship is part of the CenterPoint Energy Red River Balloon Rally, which brings 20+ hot air balloons to Louisiana Downs.
July 13: Pro Football Hall of Famer and Shreveport native Terry Bradshaw at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
July 26: Fan favorite Dan Smalley returns to put on another incredible performance in the legendary listening room at Louisiana Grandstand. If you've never seen this Shreveport native perform, plan to see what you've been missing.
August 31: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Elle King at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
September 7: The Cleverlys, a one-of-a-kind, unique comedy and music experience at the Louisiana Grandstand. "If Dolly Parton, Earl Scruggs, and Spinal Tap spawned a litter of puppies, it would be The Cleverlys," says the New York Times.
September 12: Pony Bradshaw makes a rare Louisiana stop at the legendary listening room of Louisiana Grandstand. Catch Pony Bradshaw as he fuses Americana, rock, folk and many other styles.
September 13: Comedian Rodney Carrington at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
September 14: Cody Johnson, The Leather Tour at the BGA.
October 18: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Darrell Scott at the Louisiana Grandstand.
October 20: Jelly Roll, The Beautifully Broken Tour, with Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay at the BGA.
October 26: Daughtry at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
November 1-3: Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto at the BGA.
November 16: Creed, Are You Ready? Tour at the BGA with 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH.
November 23: William Clark Green brings his "Whole Lotta Lubbock" tour to his debut appearance at the Louisiana Grandstand. Green is tearing up Texas dance halls and filling venues all over the country with his hits like "She Likes The Beatles" and "West Texas in My Eye."
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