Governor John Bel Edwards issues a statewide declaration of emergency in wake of widespread flooding. Jeff Palermo reports…
voicer 2 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo

Chris Bannan with the National Weather Service in Slidell says we are not out of the woods yet, especially in southeast Louisiana, where we could still see several more inches of rain fall….
CUT 8 (05) “currently have”
Much of southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow afternoon. Officials say if you come across a flooded road, turn around to avoid drowing.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries say they’ve rescued nearly 600 people and over 50 pets as a result of the flooding in Louisiana. That includes over 200 people in Tangipahoa parish. Tangipahoa Parish Emergency Peparedness Director Dawson Primes says they are seeing a lot of water…
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Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards nearly 50 roads are closed due to higher water.

On the other side of the state in Vernon Parish, over 200 people had to be rescued because the Sabine River has overflowed its banks. Vernon Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Kenneth Moore says the water level dropped overnight in Toledo Bend, but….
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Moore says some flood victims have lost everything they own.

After spending time in Shreveport earlier today viewing flood damage, Governor John Bel Edwards is visiting the Ouachita Emergency Operations Center this afternoon. While in northwest Louisiana, the governor said he’ll look to the federal government for additional money and resources…
cut 14 (11) “….that damage”
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency for western St. Tammany Parish as rivers are expected to reach historic levels. Just to the north of that area, Washington Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Tommy Thiebaud says water is everywhere…
cut 3 (06) “….the parish”
In Tangipahoa, Parish President Robby Miller says nearly 400 people have been rescued from their flooded homes.

Over 20 inches of rain have fallen over north Louisiana causing immense damage. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says areas in Winn, Jackson, and Bienville Parishes have many roadway and bridge closures due to high water and infrastructure failure. He says they’ve placed multiple requests for assistance through the state…
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He says law enforcement is working to get to hospitals in the flooded area, because treatment must continue at this facilities.

In other news…A Baton Rouge judge has declared a mistrial in the discrimination case involving former UL Lafayette Coach Jerry Baldwin.

And a state judge has sentenced a former priest in Lake Charles to two life sentences, plus 50 years for sexually abusing two alter boys in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Mark Broussard was convicted on five counts, including two counts of aggravated rape.

The Coast Guard says they are sending helicopter crews out to areas in Washington Parish where they are getting reports that multiple people may be stranded on rooftops due to flooding. Much of southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until Saturday afternoon. Chris Bannan with the National Weather Service in Slidell says rainfall totals varied across the southern part of the state….:
CUT 7 (11) “17 inches”
The entire state has been declared a state of emergency. Governor John Bel Edwards traveled to Shreveport today to assess the destruction from the storm. He says although they have not come up with an estimate on the damage yet, he expects it to be quite high…:
cut 12 (05) “of dollars”
He says that takes into account devastation statewide. The Red Cross has set up shelters across the state to assist those who were forced to evacuate their homes.

The Southeastern Louisiana University Police Department posted pictures on its Facebook page of portions of the Hammond campus that are covered in water. Tangipahoa Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Dawson Primes says they got at least 12 inches of rain in less than 8 hours…:
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The Louisiana National Guard says there are now about 688 Guardsman responding to flood operations throughout the state including evacuations, boat and helicopter, distribution and supply of water, security and shelter and sandbag distribution. They say Guardsmen have already rescued more than 1,310 citizens, 230 pets and 16 livestock.

A bicyclist was struck and killed in St. Landry Parish last night. State Police say 67-year-old John Rideaux of Opelousas was riding his bike when he was hit from behind by a vehicle traveling in the same direction. The victim was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Much of Tangipahoa and Washington parishes are flooded today, after a storm dropped upwards of 17 inches of water in just 12 hours. Halen Doughty has more:
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The former Lake Charles priest who was found guilty of five counts of sexual abuse against alter boys in the early 90s, was sentenced Friday to 250 years in prison. Mark Broussard’s conviction in February included two counts of the aggravated rape of children at the church when they were 8 and 10 years old.

State Police say they are continuing the investigation into the case of a 63-year-old man who drowned after being swept away by flood waters over a bridge in Bienville Parish. They say 63-year-old Jerry Garrett lost his life in the incident, but his 70-year-old wife was able to escape. It was previously reported that the Garretts had gone around a barricade, but troopers say new information questions that claim.

As it continues to rain in southeast Louisiana, Vernon Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Kenneth Moore says some flood victims there lost everything in flood waters. But he says the community is coming together to help those in need…:
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He says they’ve already evacuated about 200 people.

Many residents in southeast Louisiana are dealing with horrible flooding as the rain continues to fall. Washington Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Tommy Thiebaud says water is everywhere and they urge residents to stay off the roads…:
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He says they are watching river levels closely and so are authorities in Tangipahoa Parish where Emergency Preparedness Director Dawson Primes says they were dumped with rain…:
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Chris Bannan with the National Weather Service in Slidell says 5 more inches of rain could fall…:
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Much of southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow afternoon.

The Sabine River is overflowing in Vernon Parish due to water releases from Toledo Bend causing major flood damage. Vernon Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Kenneth Moore warns everyone located around the river to be careful and they’ve already issued evacuations. He says this is the most significant flooding he’s ever seen…:
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He says they’ve already evacuated about 200 people from the area surrounding the Sabine River.

In flood plagued north Louisiana, Governor John Bel Edwards is in Shreveport to evaluate the storm damage there and the state’s response.

Doctors are reporting an unusual high amount of flu cases for this time of year, according to the state Department of Health and Hospitals. DHH flu bug expert says it’s probably due to the late start of the flu season. He says H1N1 is back again and people should take the flu seriously…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to be in Shreveport at 11 o’ clock this morning to begin viewing some of the flood damage in north Louisiana. Bossier Parish has been one of the hardest hit areas. Lt. Bill Davis is with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office…
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During the overnight hours, over two-hundred people had to be rescued from flooded homes in the Hammond area and shelters have been opened in Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes. Thomas Thiebaud in Washington Parish Homeland Security says they’ve been making rescuses from one end of the parish to the other…
cut 3 (06) “….in the parish”
More rain is in on the way. Flash Flood watches remain in effect for southeast Louisiana through Saturday afternoon.

A survey out of LSU finds that fewer residents believe that sales and income taxes are too high. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says they’ve seen a double-digit decline over the last couple of years…
cut 15 (06) “…it is now”
The state sales tax is set to rise a penny on April first as a result of legislation approved in the recent special session.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals report the number of flu cases continues to rise thoughout the state. DHH Immunization Medical Director, Doctor Frank Welch, says it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine…
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The CDC says the vaccine is 60-percent effective this year.

Thousands of homes have been evacuated in north Louisiana and now in southeast Louisiana as a result of devastating flood waters. Bossier Parish Sheriff spokesman Lt. Bill Davis says law enforcement and residents never thought they’d see flooding like this…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards was slated to make a trip to north Louisiana today to survey damage, but had to change plans due to severe weather throughout the state.

Flood watches and warnings are posted throughout the state. The National Weather Service reported Hammond had received over 10 inches of rain through 6am. The Red Cross has set up shelters in affected areas as thousands of flooded homes in northwest, and now southeast Louisiana, had to be evacuated. The governor declared a state of emergency for the entire state and sent the National Guard to help with water rescues. At least three people have died as a result of drowning and hazardous conditions including a 6-year-old.

The number of flu cases in Louisiana is increasing. Dr. Frank Welch with the state Department of Health and Hospitals says unfortunately, H1N1 is back. He says it’s not common to see such an uptick in influenza cases this time of year, but it’s likely due to the slow start of the flu season…:
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He says it’s still not to late to get a flu shot.

Would you be willing to pay higher taxes on state services you care about? Michael Henderson, with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says in a recent survey 51 percent of respondents said they want the state to spend more on post and secondary education and they are willing to pay higher taxes to support the funding. He says the survey suggests many voters are not upset that legislators approved higher taxes…:
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Entergy reported about 15,000 people statewide remain without power as a slow moving weather system dumps rain on Louisiana causing hazardous conditions and widespread flooding. Governor John Bel Edwards has issued an emergency declaration for all of Louisiana which is under a flash flood watch. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the main threat from this system is water..:
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So far the flooding has resulted in three deaths in Louisiana, including a six-year-old child in Ouachita Parish.

Pictures of children playing in flood waters have been circling social media, but the Department of Health and Hospitals says that’s not a good idea. DHH spokesperson Bob Johannessen flood stricken areas can be deadly…:
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The National Guard is deployed and the Red Cross has set up shelters in affected areas.

According to a new survey from LSU, most Louisiana residents are okay with paying higher taxes to support K through 12 schools and higher education. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal says he will remain at his job and has no intention of leaving despite allegations made against him that he was involved in the beatings of jail inmates. Ackal was indicted on civil rights violations as a result of an investigation stemming from the alleged 2011 incident in the jail’s chapel. In a statement, Ackal says he has faith in the judicial system and is confident he will be vindicated.

Southeast Louisiana got hammered with rain much like the north west/east saw this week as a storm system moves slowly across the state. The Red Cross has opened shelters in Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes where over 100 homes had to be evacuated due to flood waters. The National Weather Service in New Orleans says the Hammond Airport has already received over 10 inches of rain through 6am. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not over…:
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Over 35-hundred homes have been evacuated in Bossier Parish as a result of flood waters. Sheriff’s office spokesman Lt. Bill Davis…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statewide emergency declaration. The Louisiana National Guard is working around the clock in support of local authorities.

The state Department of Health and Hospitals advises Louisiana residents to be aware of dangerous flood waters and to take precautions. DHH spokesperson Bob Johannessen says everyone needs to stay out of the water…:
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So far the hazardous weather and flooding has resulted in three deaths in Louisiana, including a six-year-old.

We’re starting to see more flu cases in Louisiana…:
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Thousands of homes are under water and more rain is on the way today. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
Governor John Bel Edwards and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser are traveling to north Louisiana today to visit shelters and assess storm damage. The governor has now declared a state of emergency for the entire state.

Several roads are closed across southeast Louisiana that’s getting pelted with rain right now, and the Tangipahoa Parish Office of Homeland Security is reporting residents in nearly 100 homes had to be rescued as the large system moves through the area.

A majority of Louisiana residents are willing to pay higher taxes to support education and roads, according to a new survey from LSU. Fifty-one percent of respondents want the state to spend more on K through 12 public education, and 50-percent say the same for higher ed. Michael Henderson, with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says those surveyed were asked if they’d pay higher taxes for public education and higher ed…:
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He says a majority of respondents were also in favor of increased spending, and higher taxes, for healthcare.

Authorities remind the public to NOT attempt to drive through high water or cross barricades. You can log on to the DOTD website, 511la.org to get updated information on road closures or download the “Way to Geaux” app.