LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — Severe weather in Lafayette caused heavy rainfall to sweep through the Lafayette area this morning, causing flooding. In downtown Lafayette, multiple businesses say water rushed inside.

Radar estimates say Lafayette received nearly six inches of rainfall. News 10 spoke with the general of Pop’s Poboys, Kori Crappell, who says team members spent all morning draining the water from inside the restaurant.

“Coming in this morning it was a little devastating to see that, that’s something you don’t want to see in your business ever,” said Crappell.

Crappell says the drainage in downtown Lafayette was improved a couple of years ago, however, heavy rains still cause high water near the restaurant. Nevertheless, she says workers are always prepared for such events like these.

“It’s not something we like to deal with all the time, but we were prepared for it, we’re going to sling our daquiris and our po’boys per usual and its going to be fun, we’re excited,” said Crappell.

Some other businesses that had water inside were Magnolia’s Playground and Root Floral Design. Another block down the road, was Pat’s Restaurant. Owner of Pat’s, Patrick Dupuis, says while the inside of Pat’s did not receive any water, the outside of the restaurant had high water for hours.

“I had never experienced it that high in this area, they had a cop car when I drove up, she was flashing her lights, and the water was in her car, we finally got to Pat’s, Pat’s was okay, but everything else was flooded,” said Dupuis.

Julianna Migues with Pat’s Restaurant tells me now that most of the water has receded, now is the time for those who are unaware of Festival International to take in what is has to offer.

“If you’re looking to come here for a unique experience, you have to check out our forensic Cajun food, you have to check out all the different kinds of people that come here, you’re not going to meet just one group, you’re going to meet thousands of different groups coming together, and I think that’s a true experience, you can only get that here,” said Migues.

Despite the weather, all festivities have begun and are scheduled to last until around 11 p.m. Most businesses have re-opened, as all water has now receded.

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