INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Nearly 5,000 Homes Damaged As Severe Storms Cause Flooding In Louisiana, Mississippi – Four Reported Dead

By Janice Malcolm
Published on: 16:56 PST, Mar 13, 2016

As thunderstorms moved through Louisiana and Mississippi this weekend, torrential downpours caused rain-filled rivers to rise over banks and triggered widespread flooding across the lower Mississippi Valley that left thousand of homes damaged and at least four persons dead.

On Sunday, the President of the United States, Barack Obama, declared that after a week of flooding, Louisiana had been hit by a “major disaster,” and aid was provided for those who had been affected. The President’s disaster declaration Sunday makes federal funding available to persons in seven parishes that have been affected by the severe storms and flooding.

The state emergency management office also described the extensive flooding as a “historic flood event.” Meteorologists have said that the rainfall received actually reached two feet in some areas, causing roads, cars, and houses to be submerged, forcing residents to flee their homes even as bridges were washed out. The increasing issues with the rains causing floods are a part of the system affecting Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee.

Authorities have relayed that at least four people have died as a result of the flooding in Louisiana, including an elderly man and two fishermen been missing from Mississippi for a few days now. Emergency officials also advised that more than a dozen homes had to be evacuated in Northwest Tennessee late Saturday evening after heavy rains caused the breach of a levee. Flood warnings came into effect across the region as many rivers had reached record-breaking highs.

According to Reuters, Louisiana’s emergency management office issued a statement warning residents that “the crisis is not over,” going on to advise that approximately 5,000 homes had already reported damage from the flood. Forecasters highlighted that another line of thunderstorms was expected to affect parts of Arkansas, Oklahoma, northern Louisiana, and northern Mississippi on Sunday night. They also advised of hail and tornadoes being possible.

https://twitter.com/usacustomers/status/708134924507697153

The state’s emergency management office also issued a statement regarding the same projections of flooding.

“We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. This crisis is not over. The National Weather Service indicates thunderstorms and a potential of severe weather are forecast this evening in Northwest Louisiana, which could cause even more problems. Other problems with rivers and bayous are causing new problems to develop.”

An emergency official stated that more than 4,958 homes in Louisiana had been damaged, and the number is only expected to rise as newer reports come in regarding the floods. The Mississippi report also had it that 185 homes had received damage as a result of the flood waters and about 650 homes and sustained minor damage.

The Orlando Sentinel has reported that Col. Pete Schneider, a Guard spokesman, said how the current flooding is the most widespread instance of flooding not caused by a hurricane that the Louisiana National Guard has ever had to deal with. The National Guard also advised that about 1,400 soldiers and air crews were hard at work in flooded areas throughout Louisiana, being deployed to give aid from high-water vehicles, boats, and three helicopters. The National Guard also said that by Sunday morning the emergency crews had managed to evacuate more than 3,295 people and 316 pets as part of the round-the-clock operations to provide security and shelter.

A full assessment of the damage caused by the flooding is expected to take over a month to complete once the flood warnings have been lifted.

[Photo Courtesy of Rogelio V. Solis/ AP Images]
Share this article: Nearly 5,000 Homes Damaged As Severe Storms Cause Flooding In Louisiana, Mississippi – Four Reported Dead
More from Inquisitr