The Coast Guard says they are sending helicopter crews out to areas in Washington Parish where they are getting reports that multiple people may be stranded on rooftops due to flooding. 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 across the southern part of the state….:
CUT 7 (11) “17 inches”
The entire state has been declared a state of emergency. Governor John Bel Edwards traveled to Shreveport today 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…:
cut 12 (05) “of dollars”
He says that takes into account devastation statewide. The Red Cross has set up shelters across the state to assist those who were forced to evacuate their homes.

The Southeastern Louisiana University Police Department posted pictures on its Facebook page of portions of the Hammond campus that are covered in water. Tangipahoa Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Dawson Primes says they got at least 12 inches of rain in less than 8 hours…:
CUT 6 (04) “at this time”

The Louisiana National Guard says there are now about 688 Guardsman responding to flood operations throughout the state including evacuations, boat and helicopter, distribution and supply of water, security and shelter and sandbag distribution. They say Guardsmen have already rescued more than 1,310 citizens, 230 pets and 16 livestock.

A bicyclist was struck and killed in St. Landry Parish last night. State Police say 67-year-old John Rideaux of Opelousas was riding his bike when he was hit from behind by a vehicle traveling in the same direction. The victim was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.