Sure, there’s an important election happening soon, but some other pretty serious stuff is going on in the U.S. too, such as the historic flooding in southern Louisiana.
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Following torrential rain, the state has experienced flooding that some residents have described as worse than the devastating Hurricane Katrina of 2005. To date, at least 11 people have died, and some 30,000 have been rescued. Days after the flooding began, around 8,400 people remain in emergency shelters, and President Obama has declared a major disaster in the state.
Before and after pictures posted online reveal the extent of the flooding in just 24 hours.
It’s the state’s second catastrophic flood in the past five months. Despite being a state that remains prepared for flooding, Louisiana wasn’t ready for what the National Weather Service has called a “1,000-year disaster” (1,000 years of rain in two days).
Residents risked their lives to ensure pets and livestock were taken to safety.
Coffins were pictured floating down streets as the flooding uprooted caskets from graveyards.
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Baton Rouge resident Allie Amond holds a box with her father’s ashes in it that she retrieved from her flooded home.
The Red Cross has called the Louisiana flooding “the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy.”
The response to the flooding has included members of the Louisiana National Guard and the Coast Guard, working with police and fire departments. As of yesterday, the Guard has rescued 7,600 people and 1,200 pets and has distributed 16,700 prepackaged meals, 213,690 bottles of water, 260 tarps and 714,000 sandbags.
Many people had to be airlifted to safety.
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To support the Red Cross in its efforts to help those affected by the Louisiana floods, text “LAFLOODS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Before you go, check out our slideshow below:
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