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…
cut 3 (10) “…our shelters”
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…
cut 6 (10) “…structural damage” .

Eight more parishes have been added to the list that are eligible for federal disaster aid. Acadia, Ascension, East Feliciana, Iberia, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry and Vermilion parishes have been added to the federal disaster declaration. According to FEMA, over 36-thousand flood victims have registered with their agency in the hopes of receiving government aid.

Livingston Parish is one of the hardest hit areas from this devastating flood. Sheriff Jason Ard said in a Facebook post that 75-percent of the parish is a total loss. Over 15-thousand had to be rescued from floodwaters

And state officials have confimred an eighth fatality as a result of the flooding. Three of the deaths have occurred in East Baton Rouge Parish. Two people also died in Tangipahoa and St. Helena parishes.

We are set to hear from Governor John Bel Edwards, along with FEMA administrator Craig Fugate. They are set to speak with the media shortly after 11 AM.

Over 11-thousand flood victims are at shelters across south Louisiana. Stella Williams and her three kids had to leave their flooded trailer in the Baton Rouge area. Williams is not sure where she’ll go next…
cut 9 (10) “…be okay”

The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is accepting donations and volunteers to help displaced flood victims. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is optimistic those with flood insurance, who sustained damage from this recent round of flooding will see financial relief soon. Donelon says insurance companies moved quickly last March, when Louisiana saw extensive flooding…
cut 15 (12) “…in payments”
But Donelon says unfortunately most of those impacted by the flooding did not have flood insurance. He says those individuals will now have to seek financial assistance from the federal government.

FEMA administrator Craig Fugate is meeting with Governor John Bel Edwards at this hour. They will hold a press conference at 11 AM to provide more information.

Interstate 12 has re-opened, but we still have parts of Interstate 10 closed, including sections between Lafayette and Lake Charles.

The death toll from the historic flooding has increased to at least seven. A seventh victim was located in front of the Greenwell Springs Library in East Baton Rouge Parish. Governor John Bel Edwards says unfortunately he expects the number of fatal flooding victims to rise…
cut 11 (11) “…recovered you”

And there’s over 11-thousand Louisianans displaced from their homes and in shelters. John Hamilton is from Bosnia but has lived in the US for 16 years. He says he’s never seen anything like this in all the years he’s been here. He says he is thankful for the shelter that he’s called home since the flooding began….
cut 7 (07) “…thank you”

So far only four parishes have been declared federal disaster areas, Tangipahoa, Livingston, East Baton Rouge and St. Helena. Governor John Bel Edwards spent yesterday in the Acadiana region, gathering information so that more parishes can be added to the federal disaster declaration list…
cut 12 (08) “…the people”
Edwards is scheduled to meet with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administratrator Craig Fugate and then they’ll hold a press conference to discuss the federal aid available and response efforts. FEMA is encouraging everyone affected by the flooding to apply for assistance.

The number of storm related deaths has increased to seven. A seventh victim was located in front of the Greenwell Springs Library in East Baton Rouge Parish.

The water is receding in many locations. I-12 is open in both directions.

Thousands of south Louisiana residents are displaced as a result of the historic flood. Halen Doughty spoke with a family at a Baton Rouge shelter…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Organiziations like the Red Cross and United Way are accepting donations. Michael Williamson is the president and CEO of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana…
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You can donate at united-way-S-E-L-A-dot-org-slash-flood.

The traffic situation is improving as flood waters recede in some parts of Louisiana. I-12 has re-opened in both directions, but Interstate 10 is still closed south of Baton Rouge and portions of I-10 are closed between Lafayette and Lake Charles.

Governor John Bel Edwards and other officials are touring the state assessing the damage from Louisiana’s second historic flood of 2016. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “..I’m Halen Doughty”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says those without flood insurance can receive federal aid, if the parish they live in has been declared a federal disaster area. So far, only four parishes have been designated, but Donelon says more will be added to the list…
cut 16 (11) “….as well”
Donelon says most of the storm victims did not have flood insurance.

Many Louisiana residents without flood damage are eager to volunteer their time to shelters or donate items. Michael Williamson, president and CEO with the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, says you can help by making a financial contribution…
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Williamson says you can go to United Way’s website to donate.

Governor John Bel Edwards spent time in Acadiana on Monday as he continues to assess the damage from the second historic flood Louisiana has seen this year. He says they don’t know the total cost of all the damage, but he does expect it to be in the millions….
cut 10 (11) “…going forward”
Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard estimates 100-thousand people in his parish lost everything.

There is some good news when it comes to road closures. I-12 eastbound and westbound lanes are now open from Baton Rouge to the Mississippi State line. But the water is rising elsewhere. A voluntary evacuation is in place in Sorrento because of flooding in the Ascension Parish town. Airline Highway in that area is closed.

Over 10-thousand flood victims spent last night in a shelter, many of those are not sure what their next move will be, but they are thankful to be alive. Stella Williams is one of those. She and her three children were knee-deep in water when they left their flooded trailer…
cut 8 (11) “…can awalk”
Williams says it took them hours, before they found a shelter.

The Louisiana Department of Health is warning people about the risks of wading through flood waters that could possibly be contaminated. Spokesperson Bob Johanessen says sewage, dangerous contaminants and other debris could cause health problems…
cut 4 (08) “…electrical wires”
Johanessen says also be aware of venomous snakes or other dangerous animals that could be in the water that flowed out of its banks.

There are signs of progress in the recovery from the historic flooding in south Louisiana. I-12 eastbound from Juban Road to the Mississippi State line has re-opened and State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says motorists stranded on I-12 have been rescued…
cut 16 (12) “…of the road”

But Frank Revitte with the National Weather Service in Slidell says there are areas where flood waters are still rising. He says a lot of water still has to move from the Amite River Basin towards Lake Maurepas.
CUT 8 (12) “spread out”
Revitte says they’ve seen additional flooding today in Ascension, Iberville and Livingston Parishes.

As of this morning, Richard Carbo with the governor’s office says 11-thousand people have registered with FEMA, reporting damage to their home. Four parishes have already been declared a federal disaster area. Governor John Bel Edwards says they hope to add more parishes to the list…
cut 12 (06) “…declaration”
Edwards spent the day touring the flood ravaged areas in Acadiana.

St. John’s United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge is just one of many impromptu shelters that have been set up across south Louisiana. Rev. Dr. Jay Hogwood says nearly 100 people are being housed on the church campus, and that number is expected to grow.
CUT 3 (07) “on that first”

And flood warnings remain in effect until tomorrow morning from Livingston Parish to Jefferson Davis Parish along the I-10 corrider.