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…
cut 14 (11) “…their homes”
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…
cut 13 (08) “…needed”
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.

As of this morning, Richard Carbo with the Governor’s Office says 11,000 have registered damage, 8,000 of those are from impacted parishes.  Governor John Bel Edwards says they’re hoping to add more parishes to the list.

cut 12 (06) “declaration”

St. John’s United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge is just one of many impromptu shelters that have been set up across south Louisiana in the wake of historic floods. Rev. Dr. Jay Hogwood says St. John’s takes up donations for their Shepherd’s Market, which is usually used to feed the needy in the community. He says as of late, it’s been a vital resource to provide meals for people who, for now, are calling St. John’s home.

CUT 5 (07)  “the devastation”

Hogwood says they are still taking donations of non-perishable food items, baby supplies, and paper products at St. John’s UMC on Highland Road.

Flood waters are not showing signs of receding anytime soon in some southern Louisiana parishes. Meredith Conger with the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in Ascension Parish says they are still trying to combat the flooding throughout the parish. She says they are still in the response phase.

Cut 13 (09)  “at Lamar Dixon”

Conger says anyone who wants to volunteer can call 225-621-8360

According to the National Weather Service, Ascension, Iberville, St. James and Livingston are still expected to get additional flooding. Frank Revitte with the National Weather Service in Slidell says even though the river crested in Denham Springs and Livingston Parish, the water isn’t expected to clear out for days…

CUT 9 (10) “process”

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.

There are over 11-thousand who are in shelters in Louisiana as a result of the flooding. That’s according to the state Department of Children and Family Services. And more individuals continue to show up at these shelters, especially the one at the Baton Rouge River Center.

And then there are folks who are stuck in their homes, waiting for flood waters to recede. Our Michelle Southern is one of those and she lives in Denham Springs…
voicer 1 (28) “..I’m Michelle Southern”
Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry says about 90-percent of the homes in his city are flooded

State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says I-10 is closed from Siegen Lane in Baton Rouge to LA 30 near Gonzales. He says they do not have a timeline for when the interstate could be opened up to traffic….
cut 15 (12) “…surface streets”
I-12 westbound from Airline Highway in Baton Rouge to I-55 is closed, but I-12 eastbound from Juban Road to the Mississippi State line is open. And I-10 is closed between Lafayette and US 165 near Lake Charles.

Tangipahoa, St. Helena, East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes have been declared federal disaster areas. Flood victims can register their damage online or at disasterassistance-dot-gov. Gerard Stoler with FEMA on what to do if you don’t live in those parishes but sustained damage….
cut 11 (05) “register”

The water keeps rising in certain areas of south Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Rescue efforts continue today. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries say they’ve rescued nearly three-thousand people and over 500 animals. Most of the rescue missions took place in East Baton Rouge Parish. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services say over 11-thousand people are in shelters.

Four parishes have been declared a federal disaster area as a result of the historic flooding. The four parishes are Tangipahoa, St. Helena, East Baton Rouge and Livingston. The declaration allows for storm victims to receive federal assistance. Gerard Stoler with FEMA says they plan to set up recovery centers in these parishes to help individuals get federal aid.
cut 10 (05) “right now”
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says many of the homes flooded do not have flood insurance, which means they’ll need to rely on federal disaster programs to rebuild and repair.

The water has been rising in low-lying areas of Ascension Parish, especially in the Galvez and St. Amant areas. Meredith Conger, with the Ascension Parish O-E-P office says says they are still in the response phase and anyone who wants to volunteer can call (225) 621-8360…
cut 14 (09) “…who have”

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”

Governor John Bel Edwards is touring the flood ravaged areas of Acadiana. Edwards says the Vermilion River has crested which flows into Abbeville. Several neighborhoods are reportedly flooded in Abbeville. Donald Jones with the National Weather Service says flooded areas do not need any more rain, and there’s plenty of it in the forecast….
cut 6 (09) “….to go”

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”

Entergy says about 14-thousand customers are without power. The utility company says they have a crew of 500 to help get the lights turned back on, but floodwaters are continuing to prevent them from restoring power to about 12,500 customers.

Faith-based organiziations are stepping up to assist storm victims. Reverend Doctor Jay Hogwood of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge has about 100 evacuees at his church and they are doing their best to provide them meals…
cut 5 (07) “….the devastation”
According to the Department of Children and Family Services, there are over 11-thousand people in shelters from the flooding.

The Amite River has receded in some parts of Livingston Parish, giving storm victims a chance to survey the devastation of their homes. Michelle Southern reports from her Denham Springs subdivision.
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Tangipahoa, St. Helena, East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes have been declared federal disaster areas. Gerard Stoler with FEMA says all damage claims in parishes not declared a federal disaster zone will be processed when those parishes are added to the list.
cut 11 (05) “register”
Frank Revitte with the National Weather Service in Slidell says the southeast section of the state are still seeing flood waters rising. He says a lot of water still has to move from the Amite River Basin towards Lake Maurepas.
CUT 8 (12) “spread out”

Ascension, Iberville, St. James and Livingston are still expected to get additional flooding and more homes could become flooded.

St. John’s United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge has opened up as one of many shelters for flood victims in the area. Rev. Dr. Jay Hogwood says they have partnered with sister churches in their sheltering efforts, including South Baton Rouge Presbyterian Church.
Cut 4 (07) “back and forth.”