Severe Flooding Hits Parts of Louisiana and Mississippi; One Dead

At least one person has drowned in Louisiana after heavy rains hit the state and parts of Mississippi, leading to widespread flooding and a state of emergency declaration for Louisiana. The weather is not expected to abate anytime soon, with the National Weather Service warning of significant flash flooding potential due to heavy rains possible through Sunday.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards issued the declaration for the entire state late Friday morning. The state of emergency is in effect until Sept. 10, 2016. “We are in constant contact with local officials and first responders, and assistance is already on the move to affected parishes,” Edwards said in a statement. “The most important thing to remember is to obey road signs and to constantly monitor the news for updates to ensure everyone’s safety. Every available resource will be used to assist citizens as this situation continues to unfold."

In St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, a state of emergency was declared Thursday in response to the heavy rainfall and in anticipation of further downpours. While all roads in the parish have now reopened, residents are advised not to drive down streets with high waters. In Ascension Parish, southeast of Baton Rouge, several roads remain closed and are completely impassable. State authorities have asked residents to check 511 or follow @La_DOTD on Twitter for an updated list of road closures and traffic conditions. Sandbagging locations had opened in parishes across the state.

WBRZ reported the body of a man who drowned after being swept away by floodwaters was recovered in Zachary, Louisiana. Meanwhile, the United States Coast Guard has launched a helicopter to assist a man stranded due to flooding in St. Helena Parish.

Several flash flood warnings are in place for areas north and east of Baton Rouge and along the I-12 corridor. On Friday morning, the NWS reported rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour in southwest Mississippi and just north of Baton Rouge. Northeast of Baton Rouge, in St. Helena Parish, rainfall totals ranged between 6 to 9 and a half inches.

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While heavy storms hit the state on Thursday, a fire broke out at an oil refinery plant in Convent, Louisiana. There were no reports of injuries in the fire and no off-site impact as crews worked to contain the situation. It is not known whether the fire was weather related.

Local TV station WJTV reported several roads are closed in Pike County, Mississippi, and at least five people have been rescued in Osyka, Mississippi. So far, there are no reports of injuries or fatalities as a result of the flooding.

The NWS is also forecasting heavy rain at times from the Southern High Plains to the Great Lakes and eastward into New England through Sunday.

Photos shared on social media showed intense scenes from the flooding with cars totally submerged under water.

Main Image: Flooding in Vermillion Parish, Louisiana, via Louisiana State Police