Richland Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

09/08/2026

Burn Ban In Effect Immediately

The cease-and-desist order for all private burning for Richland Parish has been declared.

Richland Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director,
Dawn Williams states this ban is effective immediately, September 8, 2026. It shall remain
in effect until further notice.

This ban shall not apply to prescribed burns by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry,
by those trained and certified by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or by those
who conduct prescribed burning as a “generally accepted agriculture practice” as defined
by the Louisiana Right to Farm Law.


Violation of this burn ban may result in $500.00 fine and/or 6 months in jail.

08/27/2026

BURN BAN LIFTED

The cease-and-desist order for outdoor burning in Richland Parish has been lifted effective immediately, August 27, 2026.

Residents may resume outdoor burning; however, we ask everyone to continue using caution and never leave a fire unattended.

08/21/2026

Burn Ban In Effect Immediately

BURN BAN – EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
A cease-and-desist order for all private outdoor burning in Richland Parish has been issued effective immediately, August 21, 2026.
The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice.
Please refrain from outdoor burning and help us reduce the risk of fires throughout the parish.
Violation of the burn ban may result in a $500 fine and/or 6 months in jail.

06/17/2026

While Tropical Storm Arthur is weakening and moving inland, Louisiana is not out of the woods yet.

The greatest impacts continue to be focused across central and southern Louisiana, where flooding concerns remain elevated through the end of the week. Arthur is expected to weaken to a tropical depression and eventually a remnant low, but heavy tropical moisture will continue to fuel rounds of showers and thunderstorms across the state.

For Richland Parish, residents should remain alert for:

Periods of heavy rainfall that could cause localized flooding, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

Strong thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts.

A low, but not zero, risk of an isolated tornado.

Rapid rises in ditches, creeks, bayous, and other waterways if heavier rain develops over the same locations.

Although rainfall forecasts have decreased, saturated soils and already elevated water levels mean it won’t take much additional rain to create problems.

Please remember:
Never drive through flooded roadways.
Turn around, don’t drown.
Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, especially overnight.
Monitor trusted weather sources for updates.

06/16/2026

Richland Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is closely monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone One and its expected impacts across Louisiana through the remainder of the week.

Although the system is forecast to make landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border, Richland Parish remains under a Flood Watch and could experience multiple rounds of heavy rainfall from Tuesday through Friday. Forecasters indicate that repeated rounds of storms may produce excessive rainfall capable of causing flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas and locations with poor drainage.

In addition to the flooding threat, isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible throughout the week. These storms may produce damaging wind gusts and brief tornadoes with little warning.

Richland Parish residents are encouraged to prepare now by:

• Monitoring local forecasts and weather alerts frequently.
• Having multiple ways to receive emergency warnings, especially overnight.
• Avoiding travel during periods of heavy rainfall if possible.
• Never driving through flooded roadways or around barricades.
• Checking drainage areas around homes and businesses to ensure water can flow freely.

We will continue to monitor weather conditions around the clock. However, residents should remain weather aware and be prepared to act if conditions worsen.

The greatest concern for Northeast Louisiana remains heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding through the end of the week.

Additional updates will be provided as conditions warrant.

06/16/2026

04/28/2026

RICHLAND PARISH 🚨

We are under an Enhanced Risk (Level 3) for severe weather this afternoon into tonight.

What to expect:
Strong to severe storms
Damaging winds up to 70 mph
Hail up to golf ball size
Tornadoes possible (a strong tornado cannot be ruled out)

Timing:
• Storms could begin as early as 3 PM
• Most significant threat: 6 PM – Midnight
• Some storms may continue into the early morning hours

Additional concerns:
Heavy rainfall (2–4 inches, locally higher)
Localized flash flooding possible

Wednesday: Another round of severe weather is possible, mainly in the afternoon/evening.

Please take a few minutes now to prepare:
• Have multiple ways to receive warnings
• Make sure phones are charged
• Know where you will go if a warning is issued

We will continue to monitor and provide updates as conditions change.

Stay weather aware, Richland Parish.

04/27/2026

The National Weather Service is monitoring multiple rounds of severe weather that could impact Richland Parish over the next few days.

TODAY (MONDAY)
Slight Risk (Level 2)
Timing: Mainly 3 PM – 1 AM
Hazards:
Damaging winds up to 70 mph
Hail possible
Tornadoes cannot be ruled out

TUESDAY INTO EARLY WEDNESDAY
Increased Risk (Enhanced – Level 3 possible north of I-20)
Timing: Tuesday afternoon through early

Wednesday morning
Hazards:
Damaging winds (potential for widespread wind event)
Large hail
Tornadoes possible
Heavy rainfall with localized flooding possible Tuesday night

WEDNESDAY
Marginal Risk (Level 1)
Additional storms possible Wednesday afternoon/evening

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Multiple rounds of storms are expected
Timing may change as storms develop
Have multiple ways to receive warnings
Stay weather aware, especially in the evenings and overnight