N O L A.C O M
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S at u r d ay, J u n e 20, 2026
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Central La. picks up the pieces after flooding
Aftermath of tropical storm called worst in living memory
Republicans running for Senate see positives in Iran accord Democratic candidates join Cassidy in criticism
BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK
Residents walk through high water Thursday following heavy rain from Tropical Storm Arthur in Simmesport. A historic rainfall event triggered severe flooding in Avoyelles Parish, displacing residents, damaging homes and prompting emergency rescue efforts. BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer
SIMMESPORT — Patrick Wright stood dismayed at the edge of floodwaters that had just inundated his home in Simmesport along the Atchafalaya River. “We’ve never had anything like this here in our lives,” the at-large alderman said. “We don’t know what we’re gonna do.” It was a sentiment echoed across Avoyelles Parish after sheets of rain triggered what many are calling the worst flooding in living memory. The downpour began early Thursday morning, when remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur stalled over southeastern parts of the parish. “That band just kind of stayed there,” said Andy Tingler, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Lake Charles. Between roughly 4 a.m. and 3 p.m., the system dumped between 20 to 30 inches of rain in some areas, catching most residents off guard. According to Lafayette-based meteorologist Rob Perillo, the numbers point to a potential once-in-1,000-years rainfall event that could break the state’s 24-hour rainfall record. “The amount of rainfall was simply historic,” said Gov. Jeff Landry during a news conference in Mansura on Friday afternoon. Despite sitting above sea level, low-lying delta communities — including Simmesport, Cottonport, Plaucheville, Moreauville and Lettsworth in northern Pointe Coupee Parish — were already saturated from weeks of rain, and their largely bayou-based drainage systems were quickly overwhelmed.
Jefferson, St. Tammany begin recovery efforts
lingering moisture and popNational Weather upBut thunderstorms brought another suspected tornado to Arabi on FriService completing day evening, which caused some tornado assessments structural damage but no injuries,
BY LARA NICHOLSON and WILLIE SWETT Staff writers
Most of the New Orleans area bounced back quickly Friday after Tropical Storm Arthur’s tornadoes, heavy rains and strong winds swept through the streets and brought damage and flooding concentrated in Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes.
the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office said at 6:30 p.m. on Facebook. Arthur brought widespread street flooding and stalled cars to St. Tammany and Jefferson parishes early Thursday morning after heavy rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems and overtopped canals in Kenner. Severe winds and suspected tornadoes also destroyed several homes and businesses in
Debris from a trailer destroys a neighboring structure after a possible tornado touched down in Avondale on Thursday. STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER
ä See FLOODING, page 7A
WEATHER HIGH 91 LOW 79
ä See ARTHUR, page 6A
The two Democrats running to replace U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy have joined him in condemning President Donald Trump’s deal with Iran, while the two Republican candidates have voiced support for the president. Farmer Jamie Davis and business owner Gary Crockett are facing off in the Democratic runoff on June 27, while U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming go head-to-head in the Republican primary that day. The winners will meet in Cassidy a Nov. 3 general election. Trump’s deal calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, through which passes 20% of the petroleum liquids consumed worldwide. It also would provide $300 billion to rebuild Iran and at least temporarily lift restrictions on the country’s oil exports that have devastated Iran’s economy. The agreement does not immediately address whether Iran would be able to continue working to develop nuclear weapons. Trump lavished praise on the accord and said it left him the option to resume bombing
ä See DEAL, page 4A
Effect of Ala. death penalty ruling on La. uncertain Supreme Court halted execution by nitrogen gas BY JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer
Advocates for death row inmates in Louisiana are praising a decision this month by the U.S. Supreme Court that barred Alabama from carrying out its latest scheduled execution by nitrogen gas, while Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill panned the outcome as the work of a “rogue judge.” The unsigned 6-3 decision in the case of Alabama double murderer Jeffery Lee denied Alabama’s emergency request to lift a lower court ban on killing him with nitrogen gas. For now it places executions by nitrogen gas on hold in Alabama, the first state to use the method on death row prisoners. Alabama has put seven prisoners to death using the method since 2024.
Classified .....................5D Lottery..........................2B Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....1D-4D Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C Deaths .........................3B Nation-World................2A
PAGE 8A
THE REPUBLICAN CHOICE
Nearly every Republican governing body has endorsed John Young for Public Service Commissioner. These organizations are the backbone and policymakers of the Louisiana GOP. The validation proves that in the Republican Primary, the Real Republican is John Young.
Jefferson
Plaquemines
St. Charles
VOTE TODAY
St. Tammany
St. Bernard
Livingston
Washington
ä See RULING, page 8A
13TH yEAR, NO. 312