Alexandria, LA (7/7/2024) – A series of severe weather events on Friday, July 5th, including intense lightning strikes, brought significant disruptions to Alexandria, culminating in multiple structure fires, widespread power outages, and severe flooding across the city.
Lightning Strikes Ignite Fires
The Alexandria Fire Department, assisted by the Rapides Fire District and the Alexandria Police Department, responded to three major fires caused directly by lightning. The first incident occurred at 4708 Christopher Place at 8:13 PM, where firefighters managed to control the blaze within thirty-seven minutes, with no injuries reported. The response included three engine companies, an aerial company, a medical unit, a district chief unit, and a fire investigative unit.
Just nineteen minutes later, at 8:32 PM, a second fire was reported at 6426 Windy Oaks. Here, the first unit arrived within six minutes, and the fire was brought under control in forty-one minutes, again with no injuries. The deployment mirrored that of the first, adjusted slightly with two engine companies.
The third fire, reported at 8:59 PM at 119 Park Place Drive, saw the first unit arriving within seven minutes. This blaze was extinguished in an impressively quick thirty minutes, with no injuries reported.
City-Wide Power and Flooding Issues
As the storms intensified, residents reported flickering lights and power outages, particularly in the Charles Park Neighborhood and along Hwy 28 West Area. The city also grappled with flooding, notably on Jackson Street, Versailles Boulevard, Dorchester Boulevard, Welwyn Way, and Hill Street. Anecdotal reports from citizens, such as a diner at Mi Tierra, highlighted the surreal conditions, with rainwater nearly reaching car doors.
Emergency Response and Safety Reminders
Residents are also advised to avoid flooded roadways and report any downed power lines or electrical hazards to authorities immediately.
