Gov. Edwards requests federal assistance, says more than 7,000 rescued in flooding

[TexasTowelie]

More than 7,000 people have been rescued, along with hundreds of pets, and three people have died as a result of flooding caused by historic amounts of rain falling on south Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Sunday.

“I can’t say it’s worse than a hurricane,” Edwards told reporters after being briefed by law enforcement and emergency officials, “but it’s plenty bad.”

Edwards officially requested federal assistance in paying for emergency operations and overtime. By Sunday night, the federal government agreed, declaring a major disaster for the state of Louisiana, Edwards said.

President Barack Obama spoke with Edwards Sunday evening to say the governor's request for an emergency declaration has been granted, according to Jen Friedman, the White House's Deputy Press Secretary.

Read more: http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/weather_traffic/article_783865dc-622c-11e6-8cba-67820589cf1b.html

[Sherman A1]

1. Family members from Louisiana tell me that

it's pretty rough in some areas there.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I read some subsequent articles

indicating that 20,000 were rescued and 10,000 people are in shelters. People were still stranded in their vehicles along I-12 a day later.

[Sherman A1]

3. My Sister mentioned that parts of

i-10 and i-55 were closed on Saturday, however her immediate area was not too bad as the rains seemed to be all around her, but not bad where she lives.