At least four people have died and another is missing after the floods in Louisiana that affected homes and businesses, caused hundreds of aquatic rescues, at least 4 deaths and led to governor to declare a state of emergency.
The danger of flash floods remains for several states in some areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, and there is a flood watch in effect through Wednesday afternoon in Louisiana , according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The danger of flash flooding will persist for portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi tonight and tomorrow.
You never know what condition that familiar road is in beneath murky floodwaters. https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP for the latest. # TurnAroundDontDrown pic.twitte r.com/On3Sc6WXTm
– National Weather Service (@NWS) May 18 , 2021
Fox News meteorologist Zack Fradella reported in a tweet: “Four storm-related deaths have been confirmed in Louisiana primarily from driving in floods . When the weather turns deadly, meteorologists always wonder how they could have communicated the threat differently to save lives. Days like today are tough. ”
Four storm-related deaths have been confirmed in Louisiana mainly from driving into flood waters. When weather becomes deadly, meteorologists always question how they could have communicated the threat differently to save lives. Days like today are tough. # lawx
– Zack Fradella (@ZackFradellaWx) May 17, 2021
A man from 40 years died when a vehicle left the highway 415 flooded ditch around the 10 pm Monday in Port Allen, Louisiana , in West Baton Rouge Parish, according to Louisiana State Police (LSP). One person survived the crash and another was still missing Tuesday, LSP said. The victim was later identified as Alvarado Morentes Hermelindo, according to WAFB .
On Tuesday, WAFB reported that the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office recovered a body of a flooded vehicle under the Interstate 10 on Bluebonnet Boulevard in Baton Rouge. Several vehicles were abandoned in a deep-water pile under an underpass Monday night. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Justin Blaine Thompson, from 33 years, from Plaquemine, Louisiana.
There reports of two additional deaths, related to power outages, according to KATC.
Flash flooding left Lake Charles inundated with floodwater after thunderstorms swept the region on Monday. Louisiana has declared a state of emergency in response to the severe weather threat. pic.twitter.com/9iKxtk0EGv
– CBS News (@CBSNews) May 18, 2021
Rain continued to fall across the state on Tuesday. Several streets in New Orleans were already impassable even before the commute began, as were the highways in St. Charles Parish,
according to WVUE .
During the night, an emergency was issued by flash flooding for the southeastern Baton Rouge area , where radar estimated up to a foot of rain had fallen.
Flood rescue
Authorities said rescuers performed more than 250 water rescues only in East Baton Rouge Parish, according to WBRZ .
The Baton Rouge Fire Department rescued more than 200 people overnight, spokesman Curt Monte told WAFB.
The St. George Fire Department, which covers an area south of Baton Rouge, responded to 120 calls for help between 9 p.m. Monday and 5 a.m. Tuesday, told WAFB Public Information Officer Eldon Ledoux.
The department also used boats to evacuate residents of Siegen Calais Apartments after flood water entered the first floor apartments and jammed cars in the parking lot, WBRZ reported.
Here’s another video of the complex. Evacuated residents are being loaded on buses and brought to the St. George Fire Department. pic.twitter.com/l3mhpMz1G7
– Nadeen Abused (@NadeenAbusada) May 18, 2021
Major floods in previously damaged areas
Governor Edwards declared a state of emergency since Monday when the floods began in the southwest of the state.
Extensive flooding was reported throughout Lake Charles, which is still trying to recover from the extensive damage caused by Hurricanes Laura and Delta this year past and an ice storm in February.
Lake Charles Mayor, Nic Hunter, said that the floods affected between 400 Y 500 homes, some of which were damaged by the year’s hurricanes
The resident of this home in Lake Charles said they had to swim to safety with their newborn as the water keeps rising. Contraband Bayou is flooding many areas that have never seen water before. 📸 Lexi Theriot # lawx pic.twitter.com/MrhyHdPv5v
– Zack Fradella (@ZackFradellaWx) May 17, 2021
“The number of flooded homes in the city is not determined yet, but it will be absolutely in the hundreds,” Hunter told The Advocate, “and I think we will have more flooded homes in the city of Lake Charles due to to this rain event than we had. of Laura and Delta “.
With information from weather.com