Many south Louisiana residents have been displaced following a historic flood. Halen Doughty spoke with one family in a Baton Rouge shelter…
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Governor John Bel Edwards and other state officials are touring the state assessing the damage from Louisiana’s second historic flood of 2016. Halen Doughty has more…
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The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is accepting donations and volunteers to help displaced flood victims. Emelie Gunn has more…
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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…
Johanessen says also be aware of venomous snakes or other dangerous animals that could be in the water that flowed out of its banks…
Johanessen says be mindful that the septic system at many homes could be flooded. He also warns people to check to see if your parish is under a water boil advisory.
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Thousands of Louisianans have been displaced from their homes by the recent flooding. 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.
Stella Williams says she and her three children had to flee their home when the trailer park they live in started to flood. She says there was knee-deep water when they tried to escape.
Williams says she spent three hours trying to find shelter once she and her family got out of her flooded home. She says she is still not sure how much damage her home sustained. Going forward, Williams, like so many other people, doesn’t know where to go from here.
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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.
Edwards says there have been five confirmed deaths because of the flooding. He says unfortunately, he expects that number to rise.
Edwards says he is touring the affected areas of the state with his cabinet members, as well as the FEMA liaison to the White House. He says seeing the damage first hand could help more parishes be declared federal disaster areas. He says they are trying to transition from the response phase to the recovery phase.
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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 to purchase resources. He says visit united-way-S-E-L-A-dot-org-slash-flood (unitedwaysela.org/flood) to donate.
Williamson says flood victims who are in need of assistance should dial 211 from a landline or cell phone to get information on what services are available. He anticipates many people from Louisiana and other states to give whatever they can to those in need.
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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…
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 that already includes East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Tangipaphoa and St. Helena…