The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness expects several more parishes would be added to the 7 that have been declared federal disaster areas. Spokesman Mike Steele says the legwork to prepare additional areas for assessment has already begun. He says people who have sustained damage to their homes should register for federal assistance, even if they are not in one of the declared parishes…:
cut 12 (10) “for FEMA”

I-10 at the Texas border will close this morning due to flooding from the Sabine River, according to the state Department of Transportation and Development. The official detour route is I-20. The I-10/I-59 in Slidell remains open, but state police say they are closely monitoring the Pearl River water line there. Many roads are closed throughout the state and you can visit 511la.org for a list.

In Central, Louisiana a levee at Bayou Darrow in Grant Parish has been breached due to extreme flooding after massive amounts of rainfall. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain is concerned about people refusing to evacuate then law enforcement would have no way to reach them. He says if you have the opportunity to leave an area that has the potential to flood, please do…:
Cut 15 (09) “around”
He says the community of Georgetown is virtually an island.

The regular legislative session got underway Monday and lawmakers still face an $800 million dollar deficit for next fiscal year. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, Head of the Republican Legislative Delegation, says balancing the budget will be a matter of prioritizing…:
CUT 7 (10) “special session”
Tax matters can not be addressed in the regular session.