Flash flooding gripped the city throughout the day Thursday, and local residents should expect even more rainfall this weekend, said Armani Cassel, a meteorologist at the Shreveport National Weather Service office.
"(On Friday), I'd say it's not going to be as heavy rainfall as it is (Thursday), but there is a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms," he said. "This weekend as well, you should expect daily chances of showers and thunderstorms."
The El Dorado Police on Thursday issued multiple warnings through social media about flash flooding throughout the city.
A few areas that were particularly dangerous in the late morning were at 19th Street and Tanglewood Drive, which the EPD blocked off; Hillsboro Street and Bradley Avenue, where a News-Times reporter observed significant flooding; and near Cordell Avenue and Grove Street.
Cassell said that by noon on Thursday, 2.5 inches of rain had already fallen, and another 1-2 inches were expected in the afternoon. There were about 4 inches of rain between the storms Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, he said.
At 1:30 p.m., Union County remained under flood watch and flash flood warning. Local officials warned residents to "turn around, don't drown" and avoid flooded or washed-out roads. Cassel also recommended keeping multiple communications devices nearby for weather updates.
"Stay weather aware, have your phones with you and a radio as well. Have multiple ways to get weather information; in addition to television and radio, have your phone and a weather radio," he said.
On Wednesday, Union County was under a tornado warning from 7:53 to 8:13 p.m. Cassel said the NWS hadn't received any reports of a tornado touching down in the county by noon on Thursday. Union County Emergency Management Coordinator Bruce Goff said the same.
"I've heard rumors. I know there was a warning out and heard rumors that there was one that came through, but nobody's reported anything to me," he said.
Cassel said the weather this week has been caused by an air pressure imbalance on either side of Arkansas.
"We have high pressure down on our east, low pressure to the west, so that's kind of funneling these disturbances from across Texas into the area," he said.
Daytime temperatures this weekend are expected to reach the high 80s, while nighttime lows are forecast in the high 60s.