Louisiana continues to struggle from days of severe weather that has caused thousands of evacuations, cars and homes underwater, roads submerged and bridges washed out. The Governor’s Office says reports on the number of homes with flood damage is already more than 2500, but several key parishes haven’t reported data yet so the number will go up. Residents are still being forced from their homes. Governor John Bel Edwards is providing updates today, then plans to visit Tangipahoa Parish which has seen catastrophic devastation. The governor says although they have not come up with an estimate on the damage yet, he expects it to be quite high…:
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Flash flood watches and flood warnings are in place for many parishes as river levels are high and are expected to keep rising over the next several days. The National Guard has deployed hundreds of guardsmen who have assisted in thousands of rescues of people and pets.

The weather system dropped as much as 20 inches of rain in some areas. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says areas in Winn, Jackson, and Bienville Parishes have many roadway and bridge closures due to high water and infrastructure failure. He says law enforcement is working to get patients in hospitals proper medical care, even though the roads are all covered with water.
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Washington Parish got clobbered with rain and Emergency Preparedness Director Tommy Thiebaud says to put it simply, water is everywhere…:
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He says these water levels are unprecedented.

In other news, the Bureau of Safety says it’s investigating the death of a worker who was killed while working on an oil platform rig in the Gulf of Mexico, about 150 miles south of New Orleans.

It’s daylight savings time weekend. The time change officially starts Sunday at 2am.

Governor John Bel Edwards issues a statewide declaration of emergency in wake of widespread flooding. Jeff Palermo reports…:
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The Louisiana National Guard says nearly 700 Guardsmen responded to flood operations, and as of Friday, they’ve rescued more than 1,310 citizens, 125 pets and 16 livestock.

A teenager is dead after tumbling from a kayak in the Penn Mill Lakes area between Covington and Folsom. The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office says 17-year-old Zachary Foret’s death is not believed to be related to the weather.

The Sabine River is overflowing in Vernon Parish due to water releases from Toledo Bend causing major flood damage. Vernon Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Kenneth Moore says some flood victims have lost everything, but the community is coming together to help those in need…:
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Over 20 inches of rain have fallen over north Louisiana causing immense damage. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says areas in Winn, Jackson, and Bienville Parishes have many roadway and bridge closures due to high water and infrastructure failure. He says they’ve placed multiple requests for assistance through the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness:
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Flood watches and warnings are posted throughout north and southeast Louisiana. Additional showers are expected today, but forecasters say dry weather will settle in by Tuesday. But rising waters on rivers are a major concern. The governor has declared a state of emergency for the entire state.

Flood waters continue to rise across southeast Louisiana, and also in the northern part of the state. The National Weather Service keeps the flash flood watches in place through this evening in these areas. Meteorologists Chris Bannan says, while it won’t be nearly as bad as we’ve seen the past several days, more rain is expected to fall across southeast Louisiana today…:
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The Louisiana National Guard says they’ve rescued close to 1500 people through out the state, including hundreds in Tangipahoa Parish. Emergency Preparedness Director Dawson Primes says the storms left communities under water…:
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Forecasters say dry weather will settle in by tomorrow, but river flooding remains an imminent threat. Officials are urging residents to prepare for significant backwater flooding.

Record flooding is already occurring along a strip of the Sabine River, and looks to move downstream along the Louisiana/Texas border over the next several days. Vernon Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Kenneth Moore says this is the most significant flooding he’s ever seen…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards visited north Louisiana Friday to survey the damage. He expects destruction from the storms has caused millions of dollars in damages throughout the state, and they will be looking to FEMA for help…:
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An emergency declaration remains in place as ordered by the governor. He says the state government has met all of the requests for resources that his office has received.

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward 1 hour at 2am, as we spring forward.

The entire state has been declared a state of emergency. Governor John Bel Edwards traveled to Shreveport, West Monroe and Franklinton to assess the destruction from the storm. He says although they have not come up with an estimate on the damage yet, he expects it to be quite high.

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Edwards says the state government has met all of the requests for resources that his office has received. He says the cost for reparations may pose a problem for the legislature, given the fiscal deficit the state is facing, so he will look to the federal government for additional money and resources.

Tangipahoa Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Dawson Primes says his parish is seeing a lot of water.

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Primes says the forecast for the river levels is skyrocketing because of water coming down from north Louisiana. He says so far they have rescued about 500 people.

Much of southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until Saturday afternoon. Chris Bannan with the National Weather Service in Slidell says rainfall totals varied throughout the state, and some areas got about 17 inches of rain in just 12 hours. He says we could still get up to 5 more inches of rain, which could be an issue for people near the rivers.

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The Louisiana National Guard has rescued more than 1,000 citizens, over 200 pets and 16 livestock. They have also distributed over 12,000 bottles of water and issued 324-thousand sandbags.

In other news, a state judge has sentenced a former priest in Lake Charles to two life sentences, plus 50 years for sexually abusing two altar boys in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Mark Broussard was convicted on five counts, including two counts of aggravated rape.

And a Baton Rouge judge has declared a mistrial in the discrimination case involving former UL Lafayette Coach Jerry Baldwin.

The Governor has been to Shreveport, West Monroe and Franklinton today assessing the damage from the storm. All of Louisiana has been declared a state of emergency.

Washington Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Tommy Thiebaud says water is everywhere.

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Tangipahoa Emergency Preparedness Director Dawson Primes says they have gotten upwards of 17 inches of rain in his parish. He says they have been doing rescues all day.

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Chris Bannan with the National Weather Service says rainfall totals vary across the southeastern part of the state.

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The Sabine River is overflowing in Vernon parish and causing major flood damage, due to water released from Toledo Bend. Vernon Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Kenneth Moore says some flood victims have lost everything. But he says the community is coming together to help those in need.

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North Louisiana is experiencing immense flood damage. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says areas in Winn, Jackson, and Bienville parishes have many road and bridge closures because of the high waters. He says they have placed several requestes for assistance through the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

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In college basketball…LSU has advanced in the SEC Tournament. They defeated Tennessee 84-75. Antonio Blakeney had 22 points to lead the way. The Tigers will play Texas A-and-M tomorrow at noon.

The entire state has been declared a state of emergency as parts Louisiana have gotten upwards of 20 inches of rain. Governor John Bel Edwards took a tour of the Shreveport area to meet with residents and see firsthand the devastation caused by the massive storm. He says the cost for reparations may pose a problem for the legislature, given the fiscal deficit the state is facing.

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Edwards says he will look to the federal government for additional money and resources.

The Louisiana National Guard has rescued more than 1,000 citizens, over 200 pets and 16 livestock. They have also distributed over 12,000 bottles of water and issued 324-thousand sandbags.

Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says many residents have lost their homes and business due to flooding. He says law enforcement is working to get those in hospitals proper medical care even with the flooded roadways because treatment must continue.

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Water released from Toledo Bend is causing the Sabine River to overflow in Vernon Parish and leading to major flood damage. Vernon Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Kenneth Moore warns everyone located around the river to be careful and they’ve already issued evacuations. He says this is the most significant flooding he’s ever seen.

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Moore says they’ve already evacuated about 200 people from the area near the Sabine River.

The eastern side of the state is also experiencing problems form the storm. Washington Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Tommy Thiebaud says the Bogue Chitto River is expected to crest at 21 feet, but that estimate keeps rising as even more rain is coming. He says they will be monitoring the rivers closely over the next 24 hours. Thiebaud says many roads are flooded and advises people to avoid travelling.

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Governor John Bel Edwards issues a statewide declaration of emergency in wake of widespread flooding. Jeff Palermo reports…
voicer 2 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo

Chris Bannan with the National Weather Service in Slidell says we are not out of the woods yet, especially in southeast Louisiana, where we could still see several more inches of rain fall….
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Much of southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow afternoon. Officials say if you come across a flooded road, turn around to avoid drowing.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries say they’ve rescued nearly 600 people and over 50 pets as a result of the flooding in Louisiana. That includes over 200 people in Tangipahoa parish. Tangipahoa Parish Emergency Peparedness Director Dawson Primes says they are seeing a lot of water…
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Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards nearly 50 roads are closed due to higher water.

On the other side of the state in Vernon Parish, over 200 people had to be rescued because the Sabine River has overflowed its banks. Vernon Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Kenneth Moore says the water level dropped overnight in Toledo Bend, but….
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Moore says some flood victims have lost everything they own.

After spending time in Shreveport earlier today viewing flood damage, Governor John Bel Edwards is visiting the Ouachita Emergency Operations Center this afternoon. While in northwest Louisiana, the governor said he’ll look to the federal government for additional money and resources…
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The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency for western St. Tammany Parish as rivers are expected to reach historic levels. Just to the north of that area, Washington Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Tommy Thiebaud says water is everywhere…
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In Tangipahoa, Parish President Robby Miller says nearly 400 people have been rescued from their flooded homes.

Over 20 inches of rain have fallen over north Louisiana causing immense damage. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says areas in Winn, Jackson, and Bienville Parishes have many roadway and bridge closures due to high water and infrastructure failure. He says they’ve placed multiple requests for assistance through the state…
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He says law enforcement is working to get to hospitals in the flooded area, because treatment must continue at this facilities.

In other news…A Baton Rouge judge has declared a mistrial in the discrimination case involving former UL Lafayette Coach Jerry Baldwin.

And a state judge has sentenced a former priest in Lake Charles to two life sentences, plus 50 years for sexually abusing two alter boys in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Mark Broussard was convicted on five counts, including two counts of aggravated rape.