South Louisiana parishes that were underwater just a week ago are starting to transition into recovery, but there’s still a long road ahead. Don Molino has more on recovery efforts…
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Water and food distribution centers have been set up in Livingston Parish for victims of the historic flooding. Emelie Gunn has more…
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As the state transitions into recovery from the 1,000-year flood, resources and volunteers are more important than ever. Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern says this is the worst natural disaster they have seen in years.
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McGovern says at one point 10-thousand people in the state were in shelters, and that is now down to 8-thousand. She says they will be here as long as it takes for this community to recover.
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McGovern says the Red Cross has served 100-thousand meals to the people in shelters. She says if anyone wants to volunteer or donate to the Red Cross, they can go to RedCross.org. She says their work is far from over.
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Flood victims are at Bass Pro Shop today in Denham Springs to receive water and food, as well as, meet with FEMA representatives to apply for disaster assistance. Terry is a Denham Springs resident whose home was flooded during the storm. He says he lost two trailers and a truck but is lucky he can stay with his daughter….
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Ed is also a Denham Springs resident who tried to stay in his home as long as possible during the flooding. He says when he finally decided to leave, the water was up to his chest when he stepped outside and was only able to bring a few items with him…
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The National Guard is distributing water, MREs and other necessary supplies for the flood victims. Sgt. First Class Travis Jenkins says this effort it to make sure people affected can get through to the next phase of their recovery. He says all the Guardsmen are happy to be out here to help those in need.
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Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, along with running mate Mike Pence, have been touring the flood damage in East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes today. Trump is amazed at the level of destruction the floods left behind
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Trump took pictures with relief workers and offered his support to flood victims who lost their homes and personal belongings. He also took time to hand out supplies and toys to children. Most of the people who came in contact with Trump were glad he came…
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Fellow republicans, Lt Governor Billy Nungesser and Attorney General Jeff Landry, met Trump when he arrived at the Baton Rouge airport on Friday morning and traveled with him to the flood-damaged areas. Nungesser says Trump’s visit can can help raise awareness around the nation that many are suffering in Louisiana…
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Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says she spoke with Governor John Bel Edwards on the phone today. The White House says President Barack Obama will be in south Louisiana on Tuesday.
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Frustrations are growing in Walker in Livingston Parish over the lack of federal resources to help those affected by the historic flooding. Mayor Rick Ramsey says they’ve been told by FEMA that no temporary housing will be brought in for residents. He says FEMA will try to expedite some reimbursement but that isn’t enough…
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Ramsey says his most recent update states there is no intention of bringing in FEMA trailers or providing temporary housing. He says it’s a crime that FEMA doesn’t think the flood victims who lost their homes need a place to live.
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The total value of all the homes lost in the flood in the Baton Rouge area could be up to $21 billion. That’s according to the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s preliminary analysis of flood damage in Louisiana, which estimates 31% of homes in the 9 parish Baton Rouge area are in flooded areas. President and CEO Adam Knapp says the preliminary data demonstrates just how devastating this flood is.
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The analysis also found that 87-percent of homes and 91-percent of businesses in Livingston parish are in areas that flooded. Knapp says that means 48-thousand residences were potentially ruined, and not many of them were insured for flood damage.
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Knapp says he hopes these shocking findings will be enough to persuade federal officials to give Louisiana more financial support. He says it could even motivate more citizens to do what they can to help.
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