Yesterday afternoon, a North Louisiana severe weather state of emergency was declared by Governor John Bel Edwards after several parishes were hit hard by storms.
Yesterday afternoon, a North Louisiana severe weather state of emergency was declared by Governor John Bel Edwards after several parishes were hit hard by storms. The State of Emergency area covers the following parishes:
- Acadia
- Bienville
- Bossier
- Caddo
- Claiborne
- Desoto
- East Carroll
- Grant Lincoln
- Morehouse
- Ouachita
- Red River
- Richland
- Union
- Webster
- West Carroll
Flash flood watches were issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for several Louisiana parishes. The strong storm system that has been tearing through the South this week is expected to continue, bringing more damaging winds and flash floods.
The State of Emergency order will remain in effect from yesterday through Thursday April 7 unless lifted earlier. The order will allow Louisiana to seek federal aid for the massive damage caused by these powerful storms.
According to KTBS.com, mandatory evacuations were of 3,500 homes near the Red Chute Bayou in Bossier City due to concerns that flood waters would overcome the levees in the densely populated area. Local resident Jennifer Williams told KTBS.com that, “After a while, with more rain coming in, we’re probably not going to be able to get in and out of our neighborhood because a lot of it is under water. A lot of the homes are under water.”
Roughly 80 homes near Shreveport were flooded due to the approximately one foot of rain that has already fallen. Another six inches or more is on the way and a nursing home was also evacuated due to rising waters.
Haughton didn’t fare much better, according to the NWS. It reported the flooding and evacuation of 30 homes Tuesday night. The Meadowview Health & Rehab Center’s rehab wing was also evacuated due to the flood. Police officers in Haughton and Bossier Sheriff’s deputies evacuated residents in affected areas using boats.
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