Historic flooding across south Louisiana has resulted in power outages, rescue missions, and unfortunately even deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke as a press conference today…

Cut 23 (21) “…at this point”

Edwards says there have been two confirmed deaths. One in East Baton Rouge Parish, and one in St. Helena parish.  He says more search and rescue missions are underway. Edwards says the power has been cut off at the governor’s mansion because the basement flooded. He advises everyone to stay home and stay off the road, unless they have been advised to evacuate.

State Emergency Officials from throughout the bottom half of the state are saying the amount of rain that’s fallen, in such a short period of time, is reaching historic proportions. Frank Reviette with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says their might be some slight progression of this
system to the northwest today and tomorrow…:
CUT 21 (08) “away from the region”
Governor John Bel Edwardsa has declared a state of emergency.

A 68-year-old man from Zachary drowned while he was trying to escape floodwaters at his home, according to reports. Adam Einck with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says this is worse than what we saw in March and they are urging people who know they are prone to flooding to go ahead and leave to avoid the need for rescue…:
cut 22 (10) “get out”

Nothing like they’ve ever seen before. That’s what many residents and
officials are saying about the massive rainfall and widespread flooding
accross south Louisiana. In East Baton Rouge Parish, Central Mayor Jr.
Shelton says one of the biggest problems is that the issues related to
these storms are every changing…:
CUT 4 (08) “we can”
Forecasters are urging residents to watch for rising streams, creeks
ditches and other low lying areas.

There was a resurgence of heavy rainfall early Saturday morning for parts
of south Louisiana that were already flooded, leading to more problems.
The bottom of the state is seeing flash flood watches and warnings, and
Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says this is a life threatening
situation. Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency. He is slated to speak at this hour and give an update on this dire situation.

As the waters continue to rise in south Louisiana, residents are also
losing power. Entery reported this morning that nearly 10,000 customers are
in the dark. On its website, Entergy states that crews are working to
restore power in the affected parishes, including low-lying areas and areas
impacted by high water. However, the company said crews cannot reach some
areas to work on restoring power.

State Superintendent of Education John White is proposing a plan to
lawmakers that would allow the voucher students that were placed on a
waiting list, to go ahead and enroll in the nonpublic school. He says the
schools would agree to accept a small payment of $100 from the state per
child for the year…:
cut 15 (11) “public schools”
He says they will know by August 22nd whether or not the private schools
who participate in the voucher program will agree to this plan, but he
expects most will. He says it’s the right thing to do.

The rain is still falling across south Louisiana and officials say the
flooding is far from over. Frank Reviette with the National Weather Service
in Slidell, says water is coming into many homes and roadways that normally
don’t see it, and the rivers and tributaries are a grave concern…:
CUT 8 (12) “close attention to that”
Reviette says, unfortunately, this system is churning very slowly, and the
rain will continue today and possibly into tomorrow.

Rescue efforts are underway for those trapped in their homes. The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says hundreds have been rescued. LDWF
spokesman Adam Einck…:
Cut 13 (10) “as we speak right now”
People are advised to stay off the roads if possible and if they do have to
wander out to heed the road hazard warnings.

Forecasters are urging residents to watch for rising streams, creeks
ditches and other low lying areas. East Feliciana Parish OEP Deputy
Director Jim Parker says he’s dealt with flooding before, but nothing like
this…:
CUT 5 (10) “people getting stranded”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Marijuana will remain a
Schedule I drug under federal law, which has many people asking what will
happen in the 25 states that legalized medical marijuana. Don Molino has
more…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The Amite River in Livingston Parish and surrounding areas is rising fast
this morning and residents are scrambling to leave their homes as they wake
up to water in their homes. Sheriff Jason Ard says he believes this is a
life threatening situation and he’s urging those to get to safety fast.

The rain keeps coming to the likes of what officials have never seen
before. Widespread flooding is plaguing southeast Louisiana. Emelie Gunn
reports…:
CUT 1 (36) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Emergency Officials from throughout the bottom half of the state are
saying the amount of rain that’s fallen, in such a short period of time, is
reaching historic proportions. Frank Reviette with the National Weather
Service in Slidell, says their might be some slight progression of this
system to the northwest today and tomorrow…:
CUT 9 (08) “away from the region”
Governor John Bel Edwardsa has declared a state of emergency.

A 68-year-old man from Zachary drowned while he was trying to escape
floodwaters at his home, according to reports. Adam Einck with the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says this is worse than what
we saw in March and they are urging people who know they are prone to
flooding to go ahead and leave to avoid the need for rescue…:
cut 14 (10) “get out”

Flash flood watches and warnings are posted throughout Louisiana.
Forecasters say the event is far from over.

Several police and fire stations are offering sandbags to those residents being inundated by rain today. Schools, offices and businesses in many south Louisiana Parishes are closed today, and thousands are without power. In East Baton Rouge Parish, Central Mayor Jr. Shelton says they had over 10 inches of rain fall in 6 hours…:

CUT 3 (09)  “new territory now”

State Superintendent of Education John White is proposing a plan to lawmakers that would allow the voucher students that were placed on a waiting list, to go ahead and enroll in the nonpublic school. He says the schools would agree to accept a small payment of $100 per child from the state for the year…:

cut 15 (11) “public schools”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Marijuana will remain a Schedule I drug under federal law, which has many people asking what will happen in the 25 states that legalized medical marijuana. Don Molino has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Don Molino”

State Senator Troy Brown has issued a statement in response to Governor John Bel Edwards and others calling for the senator’s resignation following two domestic abuse arrests in less than a year. Brown characterized those calling for him to resign as “political opportunists” who pretend they are moral enough to cast the first stone. He emphasized that he will not resign from office.

Ongoing rain and storms in south Louisiana have caused widespread flooding unlike some officials say they’ve ever seen before. Emelie Gunn reports…:

CUT 1 (36) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Entergy reports over 7-thousand outages in Louisiana. A flash flood warning has been issued for Tangipahoa, Washington, Livingston, St. Helena, St. Landry, Vermillion, and Lafayette parishes until Monday.

A 68-year-old man from Zachary drowned today while he was trying to escape floodwaters at his home, according to reports. Adam Einck with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says in just 6 hours agents have rescued over 100 people and pets, and the efforts are ongoing:

Cut 13 (10)  “as we speak right now”

Einck says there is a stalled out system sitting on top of us and it’s producing lots of rain in a short amount of time.

Frank Reviette with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says unfortunately, this system is churning very slowly, and the rain will continue into Saturday. Almost the entire bottom half of the state is under a flash flood watch through Saturday evening. He says there might be some slight progression to the northwest into the weekend…:

CUT 9 (08) “away from the region”

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency.

More flooding is expected tonight and the flash flood watch remains in effect for almost the entire bottom half of the state through tomorrow evening. East Feliciana Parish OEP Deputy Director Jim Parker says they are doing everything they can to help residents.

CUT 6 (08) “fast”

Frank Reviette with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says the main issue with this area of low pressure is that the bottom half is churning in the Gulf of Mexico which is adding fuel to the storm. He says they’ve been getting reports of street flooding and water in homes…:

CUT 8 (12) “close attention to that”

Reviette says, unfortunately, this system is churning very slowly, and the rain will continue into Saturday.

The federal government has ruled that marijuana will remain a Schedule I drug. Parks Senator Fred Mills says this ruling should not affect Louisiana’s ability to dispense medical cannabis to the patients who need it. But he says he is not pleased with the feds’ decision.

Cut 11 (08) “it right”

Mills says Louisiana is on track towards dispensing the drug to patients, and they should have the regulations in place by next year.

State Superintendent of Education John White is proposing a plan to lawmakers that would allow the voucher students that were placed on a waiting list, to go ahead and enroll in the nonpublic school. He says they will know by August 22nd whether or not the private schools who participate in the voucher program will agree to this plan, but he expects most will.

cut 17 (07) “is significant”

Ongoing rain is causing widespread flooding across the southern part of the state. Forecasters are urging residents to watch for rising streams, creeks and other low lying areas. East Feliciana OEP Deputy Director Jim Parker says this is the worst flooding he’s ever seen.
Cut 5 (10) “getting stranded.”

Weather experts says the Florida Parishes are getting hit especially hard.

A 68-year-old Zachary man has drowned after trying to escape his rapidly flooding home. Frank Rivette with the National Weather Service in Slidell says southeast Louisiana received a ton of water in only a couple hours.
CUT 7 (08) “in some of that area”

State emergency officials are urging people in flood prone areas to evacuate to avoid needing rescue.

State Superintendent of Education John White has proposed a plan to allow voucher students placed on a waiting list to still enroll in a nonpublic school. White says this would get all 362 kids waiting, into the private school of their choice. He says the money the state pays for the voucher students is basically the same as if the child attended a public school.
Cut 16 (05) “…financially.”

He says they will know by August 22 if the private schools who participate in the voucher program will agree to these new terms.

The DEA announces marijuana is will remain a schedule I drug under federal law. Louisiana along with 24 other states have legalized medical marijuana. Author of the legislation to legalize medical cannabis Parks Senator Fred Mills says he isn’t worried because they planned for this when writing the bill.
Cut 10 (10) “Schedule II”