At least eight people have died and 20,000 people have had to be rescued because of “historic” flooding in the southern USA state of Louisiana, Governor John Bel Edwards says.
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For now, most of the affected areas remain inundated but expectations are that the waters will slowly recede, while thousands will remain housed in shelters, some of them improvised like the one at the Celtic television studio.
Amid scattered reports of looting, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said parishes with widespread damage were being placed under curfew as of Tuesday night. The Advocate reported that local residents said home invasions took place during the floods.
Further south, however, the flood water continued to push into new areas forcing new road closures and evacuations, including at the state’s women prison at St. Gabriel, where more than 1,200 inmates were taken to other prisons, a spokesman said.
The designation frees up federal money to aid with rescue operations and emergency housing, among other things.
“We’re just now moving into recovery phase”.
Images of flooded cemeteries and caskets floating on the water reminded many of that natural disaster. They also searched countless cars caught in the flooding. Residents woke Tuesday to find their homes and businesses still surrounded by muddy water. The Baton Rouge area remains under a flood watch until 4 p.m. Monday, but Efferson said it likely will be extended.
Efferson says the area around Baton Rouge could see up to a half-inch of rain Monday, with a 40 to 50 percent chance in the forecast.
Mr Edwards said there were still around 34,000 households and businesses without electricity in torrid summer heat and humidity – raising concerns of mould in waterlogged buildings.
Edwards said that the number of people missing in the flooding is unknown, but that could increase the death toll in the coming days. More than 30,000 people have been rescued since Friday. “We’re still rescuing in the southern part of the parish”, said Layton Ricks, the president of the parish.
A family of deer make their way through flood waters in Gonzales, Louisiana. There’s also the option to volunteer if you live close enough.
The volunteer rescuers have been dubbed the “Cajun Navy”.
Kunzelman and Deslatte reported from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Another team from Bossier is made up of two Bossier Sheriff’s Office deputies, four Benton firefighters, a specialized Zodiac boat and a flat bottom rescue boat.
Rivers and creeks were still dangerously bloated south of Baton Rouge as water drained toward the Gulf of Mexico. Lieteau had more than five feet of water in his home.
“We’re exhausted, but today’s a good day”, she said.
The Red Cross is now accepting both donations and volunteers to help with flood relief. “People are helping each other”. Lake Arthur residents receive help from the Army National Guard to build sandbag wall to keep flood waters from Lake Arthur, La., Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016.
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People whose homes were swamped by some of the heaviest rains Louisiana has ever seen are staying in shelters, bunking with friends or relatives, or sleeping in trailers on their front lawns. The National Weather Service issued renewed flood warnings.
