Cars Submerged by Floodwater as State of Emergency Declared in Lafayette, Louisiana

A state of emergency was declared and a curfew was in effect in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, on May 17, as heavy rains hit the state’s southwest.

This footage, by Hamza Romani, shows multiple cars submerged in floodwater outside a residential building in the city of Lafayette.

Multiple flood warnings were in place for several areas in the state until May 22.

Louisiana Gov John Bel Edwards warned residents not to drive on flooded roads and announced that multiple state offices would close due to the “ongoing” severe weather. Credit: Hamza Romani via Storyful