While flooding receded in parts of southern Louisiana, other areas saw rising waters, and the National Weather Service issued renewed flood warnings.
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The death toll from historic flooding in the U.S. state of Louisiana went up to eight on Tuesday, as the expanding flood zone prompted authorities to declare disasters in a dozen parishes.
Floodwaters were receding in many parts of south Louisiana on Tuesday, though they were continuing to rise in other areas as the water drained south.
In Abbeville, Louisiana, a 125-year-old record for 24-hour rainfall was shattered with 16.38 inches (41.61 cm) of rain reported from Friday to Saturday, the weather service reported.
At least 13 people have died as a result of historic flooding that severely impacted the majority of south Louisiana and a portion of central Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Thursday.
The Coast Guard and first responders have rescued more than 20,000 people and 1,000 pets, CNN reports.
While worldwide wires are reporting eight people are dead, conflicting media reports suggest the number could be as high as 11.
So far, President Barack Obama has granted the governor’s request for an emergency declaration in 12 parishes, Edwards said Tuesday.
In numerous worst-hit parishes, emergency teams began to coordinate door-to-door search and rescue operations, checking and marking homes as well as cars that had washed off the roads.
While the identity of the boy simply known as the “dancing kid” remains unknown, it’s clear we certainly need more moments like these to make our day, to literally bring the calm after the storm as netizens praised his moves. They also searched countless cars caught in the flooding.
The pictures and videos of flooded streets and homes are an all too familiar scene for Bossier Parish residents.
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.
The trauma was evident among people who went back to their homes.
Anyone with flood damage is eligible for FEMA aid of close to $33,000 – far less than many people without flood insurance will need to fix and replace their damaged property. Porter said the work could take two to three months to complete.
Flood waters have receded in Louisiana’s Livingston Parish, but they’ve left behind an atmosphere of determination to recover mixed with disbelief and uncertainty.
The governor’s office says Fugate will travel to Louisiana to meet with the state’s Unified Command Group to discuss the federal assistance available and response efforts.
Ordinary citizens in small boats – who in the last few days have earned the title, “cajun navy” – appeared to outnumber formal rescue crews.
At one point during the height of the flooding shelters across several parishes housed an estimated 11,000 displaced by the storms.
“From rock bottom”, she said. He asked for volunteers to help clean out mud from homes. “Like everybody says, you still have your family”. “People are helping each other”.
The Ascension Parish Homeland Security Office confirmed that floodwaters were slopping over the top of the Laurel Ridge levee, which protects the parish in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, from the Amite River.
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But officials also announced that the state is entering its recovery phase: Lori Steele, spokeswoman for the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, was upbeat Tuesday, saying the rescues taking place now are less of a “life-saving nature” and more to help people who were running low on supplies in flooded areas.
