National Guard Being Deployed As Governor John Bel Edwards Declares State Of Emergency

The National Guard is being deployed in Louisiana as heavy rain continues to drench the state today. The National Weather Service has declared a flash flood emergency.

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency as severe storms continue to cause widespread flooding across south Louisiana. Frank Reviette with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says this is a very slow moving system and, unfortunately, we’re looking at more rain and flooding through Saturday. He says there might be some slight progression to the northwest into the weekend.

East Feliciana Parish OEP Deputy Director Jim Parker says they’ve gotten
hundreds of calls from stranded people looking for help and they are doing
everything they can to help residents.

Officials in Vermilion Parish are asking those who live in flood prone
areas to consider temporary evacuation now in order to avoid the need for
rescue.

A 68-year-old man from Zachary drowned today while he was trying to escape floodwaters at his home, according to reports. Adam Einck with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says in just 6 hours agents have rescued over 100 people and pets, and the efforts are ongoing.