The existing federal disaster declaration has been expanded to another eight parishes to go along with the four others that were previously announced. The eight new parishes are Acadia, Ascension, East Feliciana, Iberia, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry and Vermilion Parishes.

Governor Edwards says individuals who sustained damage in these parishes will be eligible for government assistance. He says 40-thousand people have registered so far.

About 75-percent of Livingston parish is a total loss. That’s according Sheriff Jason Ard who also says five-thousand people are in local shelters, but there have not been any fatalities. Parish President Layton Ricks says there are over 25 shelters in the parish…
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The sheriff’s office reports up to 20-thousand people were rescued in this historic flood.

Almost 81-hundred people were in shelters across south Louisiana last night. Halen Doughty spoke with one family in a Baton Rouge shelter…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Many flood victims are returning to their homes and finding extensive damage. LSU AgCenter Housing Specialist Claudette Reichel says when you enter your flooded home, make sure the power is turned off, as well as, the gas. She says the next step is to look for structural instability…
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