USA, August 15, 2016 – The Governor of Lousiana, Mr. John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency in the state due to excessive flooding which has killed many, sending thousands of residents out of their homes.
Local media reported that across southern Louisiana, residents scrambled to get to safety as rivers and creeks burst their banks.
From the air homes in southwest Louisiana looked more like little islands surrounded by flooded fields. Farmlands were covered, streets and shopping centres were not spared.
Drivers tried to navigate treacherous roads where the water lapped at the side or covered the asphalt in a running stream. Abandoned cars were pushed to the side of the road, lawn furniture and children’s toys floating through the waters.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards called on people Sunday morning to refrain from going out to “sightsee” even as the weather gets better.
“This is a serious event. It is ongoing. It is not over,” said the governor.
A spokesman says that approximately 18,000 people have been rescued so far from rising floodwaters. Maj. Doug Cain of the Louisiana State Police said that so far 18,000 people have been rescued from East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes.
Four people have been reported dead, said Devin George, the state registrar for vital records.
Mike Steele, spokesman for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said there was an overnight spike in flood rescues in the eastern part of Baton Rouge.
Policemen struggled to rescue people from cars stranded in the flood. Hundreds of people were gathered at Celtic Media Centre in Baton Rouge, some coming in by bus and others by helicopter.
Matthew, 29, told CBS that between 250 and 300 people were still at the church as of late afternoon Sunday. Water was creeping up to the back of the sanctuary, and they didn’t have any food or water there.
“Everybody is just tired and nervous and wanting to see what kind of damage they have to their home,” Rachel, a resident said. US Today has reported that about 20,000 peoples have been rescued.
