The state continues to respond to this historic flooding. Governor John Bel Edwards….
cut 30 (08) “…southern Louisiana”
One of the those individuals rescued was the former voice of the LSU Tigers, Jim Hawtorne. He had over a foot of water in his home in East Baton Rouge Parish, when individuals in a boat took him and his wife to dry land.

More evacuations are taking place in Iberville Parish as the water continues to flow south.

Flooding is also an issue in Acadiana. Donald Jones with the National Weather Service says Lafayette, New Iberia and the Lake Arthur areas are having the biggest problems. He says the Vermillion and Mermentau Rivers are at peak crest right now and homes continue to flood as the rivers rise…
cut 6 (09) “…to go”

The massive flooding across south Louisiana, will force many people to file flood insurance claims. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the first thing people need to do is contact their agent. But he says there are other ways to prepare to make a claim….
cut 13 (08) “…repair cost”
As much of south Louisiana is dealing with historic flooding, we are also entering the peak of the hurricane season. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

It’s sunny outside but flooding remains a major problem across south Louisiana. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson has this message…
cut 30 (08) “…on you”
Back water off the Amite River is producing more flooding in Ascension Parish, southern Livingston Parish and into parts of St. James, Assumption and St. John the Baptist Parish.

So far over 20,000 people had to be rescued. Governor John Bel Edwards says many people in private boats gave a helping hand….
cut 9 (16) “…remain patient”
10-thousand people had to spend last night in a shelter. And the number of people who have died from the flooding has rose to six.

Because of the flooding in south Louisiana, storm victims will have to file claims. Don Molino has more on what to do when making a claim…
voicer 2 (25) “…I’m Don Molino”

As Louisiana deals with historic flooding, it’s also worth noting we are entering the heart of the hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says powerful storms develop between mid-August until early October…
cut 4 (10) “…week period”
Keim says conditions over the Gulf are right to produce strong storms.

Flood waters continue to rise in parts of south Louisiana as result of the Great Flood of 2016. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson on the rescue efforts…
cut 10 (26) “…we’re dealing with”
Over 20-thousand people had to be rescued and 10-thousand of them had to spend last night in a shelter. Major General Glen Curtis with the Louisiana National Guard says about 17-hundred guardsmen have been mobilized…
cut 12 (18) “…is required”

Much of Livingston Parish remains under water this morning. Our own Michelle Southern is in her Denham Springs home waiting for the water to go down…
voicer 3 (38) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

According to State Police, over 280 roads are closed. I-12 from Baton Rouge to Hammond is shutdown, also I-49 between Lafayette and US 165 near Lake Charles is closed. And now we are hearing I-10 is closed in both directions from Siegen Lane and LA 30 near Gonzales. Making it difficult to travel between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

South Louisiana continues to deal with an unprecedented flooding event. Governor John Bel Edwards says state and local agencies have rescued over 20-thousand people from flood-watered homes. He says many of these individuals never anticipated flood waters inundating their subdivision…
cut 8 (18) “…evacuate”
10-thousand people had to spend last night in a shelter.

I-12 remains closed in both directions between Airline Highway in Baton Rouge and I-55 in Hammond. I-10 East and West is closed between I-49 Lafayette and US 165 near Lake Charles. L-S-P says there are over 280 state roads closed this morning.

The Baton Rouge area has received much of the national headlines in this historic flooding event. But the director of the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness director Jim Waskom says the Acadiana region also has hundreds of homes flooded…
cut 11 (15) “…impacted”
Governor Edwards will spend the day touring the flood damagem in Lafayette, Abbeville and New Iberia, where nearly two feet of rain fell over the weekend.

It appears rushing flood waters claimed the life of a woman who had her vehicle swept away in the area of Hineston in Rapides Parish. The vehicle was traveling on Big Creek Road when rising water pushed the car into a ditch. The driver drowned, but a child in her vehicle was rescued after two females saw the freightened child clinging to a tree.

Thousands of people are away from their flooded homes across south Louisiana this morning. Governor John Bel Edwards says high waters have inundated neighborhoods from Tangiaphoa Parish to the Acadiana area…
cut 7 (10) “…to get in”
Edwards says over 20-thousand people had to be rescued, along with hundreds of pets and over 10-thousand people are in shelters. The death toll from this record-setting flooding has grown to six.

Authorities in Tangipahoa Parish confirm two bodies were found in floodwaters there. The body of an unidentified man was located near the Village of Tangipahoa and then last night the body of a woman was pulled from floodwaters off of Highway 442 in Tangipahoa.

Tangipahoa Parish is one of four parishes declared as a federal disaster area. The other three are St. Helena, East Baton Rouge and Livingston. Residents can register damage at disasterassistance-dot-gov or at 1800-621-3362.

Those with flood damaged homes will have the opportunity later this week to survey the damage. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon….
cut 14 (07) “…to do so”
Donelon says you can document your losses with pictures and keep your receipts, even for purchases made to minimize the damage to your home.

Portions of the interstate in south Louisiana remain closed this morning. That includes I-12 between Airline Highway in Baton Rouge and I-55 in Hammond. According to DOTD, a section of I-12 near Covington is also blocked by flood waters. Sections of I-10 are also closed between Lafayette and Jennings.

Historic flooding across south Louisiana has resulted in power outages, rescue missions, and unfortunately even deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke as a press conference today…

Cut 23 (21) “…at this point”

Edwards says there have been two confirmed deaths. One in East Baton Rouge Parish, and one in St. Helena parish.  He says more search and rescue missions are underway. Edwards says the power has been cut off at the governor’s mansion because the basement flooded. He advises everyone to stay home and stay off the road, unless they have been advised to evacuate.

State Emergency Officials from throughout the bottom half of the state are saying the amount of rain that’s fallen, in such a short period of time, is reaching historic proportions. Frank Reviette with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says their might be some slight progression of this
system to the northwest today and tomorrow…:
CUT 21 (08) “away from the region”
Governor John Bel Edwardsa has declared a state of emergency.

A 68-year-old man from Zachary drowned while he was trying to escape floodwaters at his home, according to reports. Adam Einck with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says this is worse than what we saw in March and they are urging people who know they are prone to flooding to go ahead and leave to avoid the need for rescue…:
cut 22 (10) “get out”

Nothing like they’ve ever seen before. That’s what many residents and
officials are saying about the massive rainfall and widespread flooding
accross south Louisiana. In East Baton Rouge Parish, Central Mayor Jr.
Shelton says one of the biggest problems is that the issues related to
these storms are every changing…:
CUT 4 (08) “we can”
Forecasters are urging residents to watch for rising streams, creeks
ditches and other low lying areas.

There was a resurgence of heavy rainfall early Saturday morning for parts
of south Louisiana that were already flooded, leading to more problems.
The bottom of the state is seeing flash flood watches and warnings, and
Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says this is a life threatening
situation. Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency. He is slated to speak at this hour and give an update on this dire situation.

As the waters continue to rise in south Louisiana, residents are also
losing power. Entery reported this morning that nearly 10,000 customers are
in the dark. On its website, Entergy states that crews are working to
restore power in the affected parishes, including low-lying areas and areas
impacted by high water. However, the company said crews cannot reach some
areas to work on restoring power.

State Superintendent of Education John White is proposing a plan to
lawmakers that would allow the voucher students that were placed on a
waiting list, to go ahead and enroll in the nonpublic school. He says the
schools would agree to accept a small payment of $100 from the state per
child for the year…:
cut 15 (11) “public schools”
He says they will know by August 22nd whether or not the private schools
who participate in the voucher program will agree to this plan, but he
expects most will. He says it’s the right thing to do.

The rain is still falling across south Louisiana and officials say the
flooding is far from over. Frank Reviette with the National Weather Service
in Slidell, says water is coming into many homes and roadways that normally
don’t see it, and the rivers and tributaries are a grave concern…:
CUT 8 (12) “close attention to that”
Reviette says, unfortunately, this system is churning very slowly, and the
rain will continue today and possibly into tomorrow.

Rescue efforts are underway for those trapped in their homes. The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says hundreds have been rescued. LDWF
spokesman Adam Einck…:
Cut 13 (10) “as we speak right now”
People are advised to stay off the roads if possible and if they do have to
wander out to heed the road hazard warnings.

Forecasters are urging residents to watch for rising streams, creeks
ditches and other low lying areas. East Feliciana Parish OEP Deputy
Director Jim Parker says he’s dealt with flooding before, but nothing like
this…:
CUT 5 (10) “people getting stranded”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Marijuana will remain a
Schedule I drug under federal law, which has many people asking what will
happen in the 25 states that legalized medical marijuana. Don Molino has
more…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The Amite River in Livingston Parish and surrounding areas is rising fast
this morning and residents are scrambling to leave their homes as they wake
up to water in their homes. Sheriff Jason Ard says he believes this is a
life threatening situation and he’s urging those to get to safety fast.

The rain keeps coming to the likes of what officials have never seen
before. Widespread flooding is plaguing southeast Louisiana. Emelie Gunn
reports…:
CUT 1 (36) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Emergency Officials from throughout the bottom half of the state are
saying the amount of rain that’s fallen, in such a short period of time, is
reaching historic proportions. Frank Reviette with the National Weather
Service in Slidell, says their might be some slight progression of this
system to the northwest today and tomorrow…:
CUT 9 (08) “away from the region”
Governor John Bel Edwardsa has declared a state of emergency.

A 68-year-old man from Zachary drowned while he was trying to escape
floodwaters at his home, according to reports. Adam Einck with the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says this is worse than what
we saw in March and they are urging people who know they are prone to
flooding to go ahead and leave to avoid the need for rescue…:
cut 14 (10) “get out”

Flash flood watches and warnings are posted throughout Louisiana.
Forecasters say the event is far from over.

Several police and fire stations are offering sandbags to those residents being inundated by rain today. Schools, offices and businesses in many south Louisiana Parishes are closed today, and thousands are without power. In East Baton Rouge Parish, Central Mayor Jr. Shelton says they had over 10 inches of rain fall in 6 hours…:

CUT 3 (09)  “new territory now”

State Superintendent of Education John White is proposing a plan to lawmakers that would allow the voucher students that were placed on a waiting list, to go ahead and enroll in the nonpublic school. He says the schools would agree to accept a small payment of $100 per child from the state for the year…:

cut 15 (11) “public schools”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Marijuana will remain a Schedule I drug under federal law, which has many people asking what will happen in the 25 states that legalized medical marijuana. Don Molino has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Don Molino”

State Senator Troy Brown has issued a statement in response to Governor John Bel Edwards and others calling for the senator’s resignation following two domestic abuse arrests in less than a year. Brown characterized those calling for him to resign as “political opportunists” who pretend they are moral enough to cast the first stone. He emphasized that he will not resign from office.