“This is an ongoing event that is far from over,” Governor John Bel Edwards said of the storm system that is sitting over south Louisiana and spinning slowly westward.
Using phrases like “unprecedented” and “record levels of flooding,” he went on to urge citizens to “Stay home if you are high and dry and safe,” as well as to “Evacuate immediately if you are told to do so.”
The governor has declared a statewide state of emergency, and says he intends to ask President Obama for a federal disaster declaration as soon as the state can move out of response mode into recovery mode. As of Saturday morning, Edwards says, more than 1000 people have been rescued from homes and vehicles, along with over 100 pets. In addition, there have been two confirmed drowning deaths due to the flooding.
DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says more than 100 roads are closed due to high water, including a section of I-10 through Baton Rouge, I-55, and portions of I-12. For updated road closure information, go to http://hb.511la.org/ or call 511. Wilson urgently urges caution. As well, noting that “Water rises; roads don't.”
The American Red Cross, in co-operation with Louisiana DCFS, has opened shelters.
East Baton Rouge Parish
Baker Civic Club – 2640 N. Magnolia Drive, Baker
BREC Park at Hamilton Avenue – 16200 Hamilton Ave., Baton Rouge
BREC Park at Flannery – 801 Flannery Road, Baton Rouge
Clinton Fire Station – 5567 Highway 67, Clinton
Fellowship Church – 9414 Plank Road, Clinton
Rock Church – 20810 Plank Road, Zachary
Slaughter Fire Station – Highway 19, Slaughter
Zoar Baptist Church – 11848 Hooper Road, Central
Iberia Parish
Cyr-Gates Community Center – 300 Parkview Drive, New Iberia
Lafayette Parish
Heymann Center – 1373 S. College Road, Lafayette
Livingston Parish
Bethel Baptist Church – 2149 Circle Drive, Livingston
First United Methodist Church – 316 Centerville St. NW, Denham Springs
Riverside Baptist Church – 36890 Highway 16, Watson
St. Helena Parish
St. Helena High School – 14340 Highway 37, Greensburg
Tangipahoa Parish
Mike Kenny Center – 601 W. Coleman, Hammond
Amite Community Center – 101 W. Chestnut, Amite
Kentwood High School – 603 Ninth St., Kentwood
Vermilion Parish
Abbeville Boys & Girls Club – 301 A.A. Comeaux Memorial Dr., Lafayette
Washington Parish
Franklinton High School – 1 Demon Circle, Franklinton
In addition, the Red Cross is seeking volunteers to assist at those shelters. More info at redcross.org/louisiana .
The governor and his family have had to evacuate the Governor's Mansion, due to flooding. The basement and first floor have taken on water from the Capitol lakes, and electrical service to the residence had to be shut off.