More Than 7,000 People Rescued From 'Historic' Louisiana Flooding
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said on Sunday that 7,000 people have been rescued due to widespread flooding in the state, according to the Associated Press. That number has risen from 1,000 rescued on Saturday.
The water is expected to rise by several more inches still—the National Weather Service forecasted 2-6 inches of rain could possibly accumulate Sunday night. “It’s not over,” Edwards told NBC on Sunday. “The water’s going to rise in many areas. It’s no time to let the guard down.”
Officials have reported at least three people dead so far and a fourth person missing.
A Louisiana officer told the AP that more than 5,000 people have been displaced to shelters due to the flooding. Additional people are staying in private shelters such as churches, according to Edwards.
In the midst of the horrific flooding, videos of heroic rescue efforts have circulated social media, including one that records a woman and her dog being snatched in the nick of time from her drowning car.
WOW. Absolutely incredible video of a water rescue in Baton Rouge. This video is from our sister station WAFB. pic.twitter.com/ONCaAtA2kZ
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) August 14, 2016
Edwards declared a state of emergency on Friday when the rains began and called the floods “historic.” More than 1,200 soldiers have landed in Louisiana to assist with the rescue effort since the National Guard was called in.