“They are talking about a number of roads that are shut down both north and south of Baton Rouge, Haas said”.
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Peter Hotez, with the Baylor College of Medicine, in speaking with the Shreveport Times, says mosquito eggs may start hatching in the aftermath of the flooding, not only raising fears over the Zika-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes but perhaps, more importantly, raising fears over other diseases linked to mosquitoes, such as the West Nile virus. But though the rain had mostly stopped, new places in the state faced flood dangers from the deluge that has sent thousands into shelters. The Amite River, one of several rivers and creeks that have poured over its banks, crested Monday in Baton Rouge but was still rising south of capital, the National Weather Service said.
Tens of thousands of people were rescued and at least six people killed as heavy rains flooded Louisiana over the weekend, prompting President Barack Obama to declare a major disaster in the ravaged state. Torrential rains drenched Baton Rouge and surrounding areas over the last week though the weather cleared up on Monday (Aug. 15).
“I’ve seen flooded roads I’ve never seen before”, said spokesman Brooks David of the Louisiana State Police.
The storms that spurred the flooding have dispersed, but officials say that does not mean the worst is over.
Despite the dangers, people ventured out. “We have to address life and death situations first before quality of life”, Edmonson said Sunday. Dugas said in a phone interview with USA TODAY NETWORK that her family walked to a convenience store and was shuttled by school bus to a shelter. “Why buy it if you don’t need it?”
National Weather Service predicted that many waterways would remain above flood stage on Monday. The forecasts Thursday were for 8 inches of rain, with higher totals expected in some areas.
Baton Rouge took in 11 inches of rain in a 24-hour period, while Livingstone – which is roughy 30 miles away – was hit with 17 inches. Another hard-hit area, Livingston, got almost 22 inches over the same stretch. It’s unclear when evacuees will be allowed to go home. Shelters filled up so fast that some slept on the floor because not enough cots had arrived.
Volunteers have been dropping off supplies and food like jambalaya or red beans and rice at shelters.
National Guard soldiers in high-water vehicles and boats helped rescue people, as did Good Samaritans. Gleaners is one of many local organizations pledging to help. At least three people, possibly five, have died as result of the flooding, Gov. John Bel Edwards told reporters on Sunday, The Advocate reports.
“I just hope we are not in six feet of water”, Flower said.
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According to a report by the Advocate, many residents were simply caught off guard by how quickly the floodwaters rose in some areas of the city. The latest casualty was reported Sunday night, in which a 59-year-old man was overtaken by the current as he walked along the street in Tangipahoa Parish, the news site reports.
