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:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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…:
Cut 11 (09) “be done”
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…:
CUT 4 (08) “that’s possible”
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…:
CUT 5 (09) “that much water”
Chris Bannan with the National Weather Service in Slidell says 5 more inches of rain could fall…:
CUT 8 (05) “currently have”
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…:
CUT 9 (04) “in them”
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…:
CUT 1 (08) “of hospitalizations”

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…
cut 6 (10) “…tributaries”
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…
cut 12 (10) “…sick people”
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…:
CUT 7 (06) “our parish”
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…:
CUT 10 (08) “as well”
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…:
Cut 14 (11) “their constituents”

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..:
Cut 5 (08) “poncho available”
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…:
CUT 9 (08) “people dying”
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…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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…:
CUT 4 (07) “rainfall totals”
Over 35-hundred homes have been evacuated in Bossier Parish as a result of flood waters. Sheriff’s office spokesman Lt. Bill Davis…:
Cut 6 (10) “tributaries”
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…:
Cut 8 (08) “in the water”
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…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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…:
CUT 13 (04) “are important”
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.

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency for 22 parishes and activated 750 National Guard members to help combat the widespread flooding in north Louisiana. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson says the water continues to rise and the storm is shifting into southeast Louisiana. He says if you don’t need to be out on the road, don’t go out and sightsee.

Cut 12 (09) “do so”

In Bienville parish, Sheriff John Balance says the flood waters turned fatal in a small community just east of Lucky. He says they received a call this afternoon about a vehicle stuck in the water on a bridge over Saline Creek.

Cut 7 (10) “from drowning”

The man who died was identified as 63-year-old Jerry Garrett. His 70-year-old wife was rescued from the vehicle. A six-year-old girl also died when her mother lost control of the vehicle in the flooded road, and a 22-year-old man also died from drowning.

DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says several emergency shelters have been set up throughout the parish as evacuations are ongoing. He says countless homes in the area have flooded.

Cut 5 (08) “on water”

Arbuckle says the Sabine River is expected to crest at 40 feet, which is the highest it’s been since the 1940s.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and one of his top lieutenants have been indicted on civil rights violations for their alleged involvement in the beatings of five jail inmates. The indictment claims Ackal directed officers to beat the inmates in the jail’s chapel in 2011. Eight former employees of the sheriff’s office have already pleaded guilty to related federal charges. Former US attorney Harry Rosenberg says the combined testimonies from the former jail employees and the inmates will make for a difficult case for the sheriff.

cut 16 (06)  “these charges”

If convicted, Ackal could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine for each civil rights violation.

Governor John Bel Edwards has activated 750 Louisiana National Guard members to help combat the widespread flooding in north Louisiana. Edwards urges the public to stay inside and off the flooded roadways. He says there are now three confirmed deaths, one including a six-year-old girl…

Cut 11 (10) “thereto”

Officials say the 6-year-old died when her mother lost control of her vehicle due to the road conditions. A 64-year-old man from Bienville and a 22-year-old man from Ouachita also died in drownings. Edwards says many roads in northern parishes are closed and warns drivers not to cross barricades.

National Guard spokesperson Rebekah Malone said the Guard has evacuated over 360 people from their homes in Bossier, Ouachita, and Morehouse parishes. In Bossier City, about 3,500 homes were under a mandatory evacuation as a precaution because the bayou was approaching the top of the levee. Authorities in Bossier parish rescued about 1,000 people using high-water vehicles.

Rain totals in Louisiana today range from 11 to 20 inches, according to Jaon Hansford from the National Weather Service. Congressman Ralph Abraham of Alto says lives and livelihoods are at stake in this storm. Abraham says he has talked with FEMA and asked that the area be declared a federal disaster area so resources and funding can come this way. He says everyone in north Louisiana is pitching in to help.

CUT 4 (05) “literally”

Emergency shelters have been established in several parishes, as more rain is expected to come.

Lawmakers rushed to pass several bill in the final minutes of the special session last night, and today they sorted through the implications. This fiscal year’s budget could still face a $50-million deficit, but that number remains unclear as the legislature’s fiscal analysts are estimating how much the sales tax increases passed in the session would raise. What is certain is the deficit for next fiscal year, which stands at about $800-million dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards says heavy rainfall and flooding has caused three fatalities in Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Jason Hansford, with the National Weather Service, says rainfall totals in Louisiana range from 11 to over 20 inches. Hansford says the state could see up to 5 more inches of rain, but he says this massive storm should clear out by this weekend.

cut 10 (05)  “this system”

DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says several emergency shelters have been set up throughout the parish as evacuations are ongoing. He says countless homes in the parish have flooded.

CUT 5 (08)  “on water”

Arbuckle says the Sabine River in DeSoto is rising to a dangerously high level, and people near the river are being evacuated.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and one of his top lieutenants have been indicted on civil rights violations for their alleged involvement in the beatings of five jail inmates. The indictment claims Ackal directed officers to beat the inmates in the jail’s chapel in 2011. Former US attorney Harry Rosenberg says there have already been an array of civil lawsuits filed against the sheriff’s by inmates that are pending, but this federal suit will be different.

cut 14 (08)  “if convicted”

Eight former employees of the sheriff’s office have already pleaded guilty to related federal charges.