Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency Friday and even the governor’s mansion in Baton Rouge has a flooded basement that caused the governor’s family to find accommodations elsewhere until the problem is fixed.
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Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said he has asked for a federal emergency declaration for any parishes affected by the flooding.
The body of a 68-year-old man was recovered on Friday near Baker, Louisiana, close to the state capital, after he drowned while trying to evacuate, said William “Beau” Clark, the coroner in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Additional parishes may join the list as further damage assessments are made.
People have come out of the flooding with harrowing stories of snake-infested muddy waters or fighting their way to freedom through the roof.
Louisiana state officials are urging all residents to evacuate several areas as emergency crews work to rescue stranded locals from a unsafe, widespread flood.
More rains were expected in southern Louisiana, with NWS forecasting on its website that another 2-6 inches were possible on Sunday night in some areas, while 2-4 inches could fall in others and in parts of Texas.
Mike Steele of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness said Sunday morning that there was an overnight spike in flood rescues in eastern Baton Rouge.
“I can’t get the dog”, he said, as he felt inside the submerged convertible.
An air crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans rescues three people Saturday from a rooftop due to flooding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in this still image from video.
Edwards urged residents to remain patient, even as the rains subside, saying real risk will remain even when the water doesn’t.
Convoy of Hope is providing food, water, equipment and relief supplies to southern Louisiana.
A government official says that 5,050 people are now staying in shelters due to the widespread flooding that has struck the state. I don’t know how long that is going to last because it’s getting kind of hot. AT&T mobile users in the greater Baton Rouge area have reported large outages of service. Lt. Davis Madere from the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries said he and his teams have rescued at least 100 pets since they started working Friday. More rain was forecast for parts of Louisiana on Saturday. “It’s no time to let the guard down”, he said at a news conference where he also called the the floods “unprecedented” and “historic”.
“The crests are moving south very slowly, so there are areas that have not seen maximum floodwaters yet”, said Edwards, adding that there will be more road closures.
A resident wades through flood water at Tiger Manor Apartments by the North Gates of LSU, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Baton Rouge, La.
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More rain is expected in the region into the beginning of the next week.
