Louisiana: State of Emergency Declared after Massive Flooding
- Updated Aug 15, 2016
President Obama declared a federal emergency in Louisiana after about 20,000 residents had to be rescued from their homes due to flash flooding.
According to ABCNews, at least six people died in the flooding.
Gov. John Bel Edwards said that 40,000 businesses and homes do not have power and rescue workers are still “bringing people out of homes to safety.”
Some schools and government offices will be closed Monday, and about 1,400 bridges need inspections before they can be opened again.
Some of the flooding has been deadly. An elderly man drowned Saturday after he slipped and fell into deep water, and another man died when his truck was swept off the road.
The National Weather Service said that more than 30 inches of rain fell in southern Louisiana last week.
White House deputy press secretary Jen Friedman said that Obama’s “prayers are with the people of Louisiana and that his administration will continue to support the state's ongoing recovery."
Water levels aren’t expected to recede for two days, and more rain is expected in the next couple of days.
"I'm still asking people to be patient. Don't get out and sightsee," Edwards said Sunday. "Even when the weather is better, it's not safe."
Publication date: August 15, 2016
