LOUISIANA (WGNO) – Devastating floods in Louisiana have killed 11 people, including three in Tangipahoa Parish, according to the state Department of Health.
The state DHH reports on its website that three people died in Tangipahoa Parish, two people died in St. Helena Parish, five people died in East Baton Rouge Parish and one person died in Rapides Parish. The Associated Press reported that all of the deaths were accidental drownings.
Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a press conference today that 40,000 homes have flooded, and 20 parishes have been declared federal disaster areas. That means they’re eligible for federal disaster aid and other forms of disaster relief.
About 20,000 people had to be rescued, along with 1,000 pets.
Backwater flooding threatens to push water into more homes in other parishes. Edwards said he expects more parishes to be added to the disaster list in coming days.
More than 1,000 prisoners will be evacuated from the women’s state prison in St. Gabriel due to the threat of flood waters.
The New Orleans Advocate reports that the prison in Iberville Parish hasn’t taken on water yet, but there’s a high chance that it will soon.
