Meteorologist Ken Graham of the National Weather Service said catastrophic rains are “extremely tough” to forecast.
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Forecasters expected a turn to the north Sunday by the system, warning portions of central and northern Louisiana could see heavy rain into next week.
But Graham emphasized that forecasting exactly how much rain is going to fall and where is almost impossible. In a 24-hour period, Baton Rouge had as much as 11 inches while one weather observer reported more than 17 inches in Livingston.
Residents have fled to higher ground and neighbors with high-water vehicles have hit the flooded streets to help with rescue efforts. And finding points from which to safely launch boats has been hard.
He criticized the government’s response, saying officials were slow clear roadways and to provide access to potential boat launch points that could be used by volunteers.
At least three people were killed.
“Everybody got caught off guard”, he said.
Other vehicles that were out of gas, stalled or unclaimed were being towed Monday to the shoulder to help clear the interstate.
Marc and Crystal Matherne and their three children loaded up their cars with their three dogs and drove out of their flooded Baton Rouge neighborhood Sunday before the water got too deep to pass. The shelters were not immune to flooding, however, and some had to be evacuated because of rising waters, authorities said.
By Monday morning, Edwards’s office said that 11,000 people had registered for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, majority from parishes listed in Obama’s declaration. Coast Guard aircrews have rescued more than 118 people and assisted more than 766 people in distress.
Ascension officials say the rivers are reaching high levels Monday, and not going down anytime soon.
“Meanwhile, Gov. John Bel Edwards told media Sunday that more than 7,000 people had to be rescued from their homes over the weekend”.
The flood waters have claimed at least five victims – one in Tangipahoa Parish, two in East Baton Rouge Parish and two in St. Helena Parish.
Floods ravaged the USA state of Louisiana on Monday (Aug 15), leaving six people dead and thousands more forced to flee rising waters after days of catastrophic rainstorms.
Louisiana state police Col Michael Edmonson said helicopters were transporting food and water to those still trapped by floods.
Some rivers in Louisiana broke their previous crest records by 3- to 4 feet, Destri said. The flood state is 10 feet. The flood stage is 17 feet.
Greg Flynn, an agency spokesman, said that at least 71 homes were damaged by flooding in southern Mississippi.
“They opened up their truck and started giving out fruits and vegetables to people”, she said. The Mississippi Department of Human Services and American Red Cross are managing the shelter.
It was one of thousands of rescues after a deluge dropped more than a foot of rain on parts of Louisiana, submerging roads, cars and homes. In areas south of Baton Rouge, people were filling sandbags, protecting their houses and bracing for the worst as the water worked its way south.
The low-pressure system has left large portions of southeastern Louisiana and southern MS devastated and rivers way above flood stage. Flood stage is 29 feet. He was in Baton Rouge to help his parents and grandparents, who got flooded out. Tammy M., a Baton Rouge resident, commented on the work done by national rescue teams.
Santana reported from New Orleans.
– More than 2,000: The number of evacuees staying at a large film studio complex that has been turned into a makeshift shelter.
Obama issued the disaster declaration after speaking with Edwards, the White House said in a statement.
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Those seeking shelter will be screened by nurses to determine the level of care needed, Johannessen adds, and only people who meet admission criteria can be sheltered. Only people who meet admission criteria can be sheltered.
