Rainfall Wreaks Havoc, Rescues Continue

Over 7,000 people and 500 pets were rescued from floodwaters in southeastern Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards said at a news conference on Sunday. The death toll stands at three, with one person still missing, USA Today and other news outlets reported.

Meanwhile, more 1,000 motorists are still stuck on Interstate 12 near Baton Rouge, as state police helicopters delivered food and water to them.

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All of this is a result of record-breaking rainfall in the southern part of the state — rainfall that continued sporadically on Sunday. The National Weather Service said flooding would likely continue throughout the weekend.

Some 1,700 National Guard troops are already at work, with more to be deployed, USA Today noted. Shawn Wilson, the state’s transportation secretary, said more than 200 roads are closed. Over 5,000 people spent Saturday night in Red Cross shelters.

State government offices in 27 southern Louisiana parishes will be closed Monday, State Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne said.

The Vermillion River floods at 10 feet. The level recorded on Saturday morning was 16.4 feet — and it is expected to rise to 18.4 feet, a 100-year flood level, noted USA Today. Its highest recorded crest was 24.87 feet in 1940.

The Louisiana National Guard went house to house in Youngsville, some 10 miles south of Lafayette, to rescue residents who were stranded in waist-high water.

The storms are part of a larger, westward-moving low-pressure system. Gov. Edwards declared a state of emergency Friday and even the governor’s mansion in Baton Rouge has a flooded basement that forced the family to leave the building and head for shelter.

The Jefferson Parish government is currently accepting clothing donations for floodwater victims in Gretna, Louisiana — one of the many charitable operations already set up.

Gov. Phil Bryant of Mississippi declared a state of emergency for several counties. In southwest Mississippi, rescues occurred in Amite and Wilkinson counties. In Crosby, Mississippi, over 50 people who were flooded out of a neighborhood will be housed at a shelter in Natchez until at least Monday, said USA Today.