Baton Rouge news

• When the water rose and the power failed, these neighbors found one another

  13-08-2016 23:18
  
  Those farther away from nature's fury always know more than those under assault
  
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• Baton Rouge Zoo reports all animals are safe

  13-08-2016 21:12
  
  SCOTLANDVILLE - BREC officials say animals at the Baton Rouge Zoo are safe despite massive flooding in surrounding areas.Zookeepers were on site during the day to monitor and feed the animals. Some water on the zoo campus was higher than normal due to the large amount of rainfall, but they say evacuation of any animals was not deemed necessary.Attached are images submitted by the zoo that were taken throughout the day on Saturday.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Troopers evacuating stranded motorists from I-12

  13-08-2016 20:49
  
  TANGIPAHOA PARISH - A state police spokesman says authorities are going car to car to rescue people stranded on the Interstate from the horrific Louisiana flooding.Maj. Doug Cain from the Louisiana State Police said about 125 vehicles are stranded on Interstate 12 between Tangipahoa Parish and Baton Rouge.He says most of the vehicles are on a seven-mile stretch of the freeway.Authorities are going in high water vehicles to each car to rescue people and carry them to safety.The people are being t
  
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• More than 1K rescued in Louisiana floods; 2 dead

  13-08-2016 20:32
  
  "Snakes were everywhere," rescued Baker woman said.
  
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• LSU faculty and staff told to avoid campus for weekend

  13-08-2016 19:02
  
  BATON ROUGE - Officials at LSU are urging faculty, staff and students to stay away from campus for the rest of the weekend.No employees or students should come to campus at this time, with the exception of those living on campus and essential personnel who are required to be on campus.LSU Police are doing continuous assessments of campus, and they say water has impacted some campus streets and building.The university will notify students and staff when it is safe to return to campus.Permalink| C
  
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• Sulfuric acid leak "under control" in Geismar, authorities say

  13-08-2016 18:37
  
  GEISMAR - Residents near the Honeywell Plant were alerted just before 11:30 pm that the sulfuric acid leaks at the plant were "under control," according to a fax from Iberville Parish emergency authorities.Residents had been asked to shelter in place after the leak was discovered. A second leak occurred not long after the first, authorities said.Chief Kevin Ambeau of St. Gabriel Police said he could see a cloud of gas after the release from Honeywell. He advised everyo
  
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• Latest listing of shelters open in flooded parishes

  13-08-2016 17:10
  
  East Baton Rouge Parish:Baker Civic Club
  2640 N Magnolia
  Baker, LABREC Park at Hamilton Avenue
  16200 Hamilton Avenue
  Baton Rouge, LABREC Park at Flannery
  801 Flannery Road
  Baton Rouge, LAF.G. Clark Activity Center
  801 Harding Blvd
  Baton Rouge, LALeo S. Butler Community Center
  950 Washington St
  Baton Rouge, LALongfellow Drive Recreation Center
  5201 Longfellow Dr
  Baton Rouge, LAMcKinley Middle Magnet
  1550 Eddie Robinson
  Baton Rouge, LARock Church
  20810 Plank Road
  Zachary, LAZoar Baptist Church
  118
  
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• Another life claimed by flood in St. Helena Parish

  13-08-2016 17:04
  
  ST. HELENA PARISH - Authorities reported they’ve found another body in the Tickfaw River as flooding continues in St. Helena Parish.The deceased person was only identified as a black woman between 30 and 35 years old from Amite, according to sheriff's deputies.The victim, her husband and her mother were traveling to Amite after attending to a family medical emergency in Greensburg when their pickup truck was swept off of Highway 1045.The mother was found in a tree at 10 a.m. on Saturda
  
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• Authorities search for 4 missing boys in Livingston Parish

  13-08-2016 16:48
  
  LIVINGSTON PARISH - First responders are now searching for four missing boys in Livingston Parish.The boys, aged between 7 and 13, were last seen in a yellow kayak floating on Dunn Road in Livingston parish early Saturday evening.More details are expected.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Oschner evacuating infant ICU patients to Woman's Hospital

  13-08-2016 16:02
  
  BATON ROUGE - Oschner Medical Center reports it is evacuating its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.The babies currently in the unit will be transported to the new Woman’s Hospital off of Airline Highway.Officials at Oschner noted that its facility has power and was not flooding, but the infant patients were being moved as a precautionary measure.Those with patients in the Oschner NICU can get information at 225-755-4450.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Ochsner says NICU evacuation not needed

  13-08-2016 16:02
  
  BATON ROUGE - Officials with Ochsner Medical Center on O'Neal said they have remained open to serve patients with emergency needs throughout area flooding.Despite earlier reports to the contrary, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the O'Neal campus did not require evacuation. The NICU remained open and continued to serve patients through Saturday.Please be advised, however, that Medical Center Drive is currently impassable due to rising water. Residents are asked to avoid the area unless medica
  
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• La. Guard increases search and rescue operations

  13-08-2016 15:41
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana National Guard says they have rescued close to 500 people and 61 pets during search and rescue operations following heavy flash flooding in seven different parishes.All of the rescues came within the past 24 hours with 15 of them carried out by air.More than 1,000 Guard members have been mobilized along with 170 high-water vehicles. They are responding to flood conditions in East Baton Rouge, Lafayette, St. Helena, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes.The LANG has also
  
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• WATCH: Drone footage documents flooding in Zachary

  13-08-2016 15:29
  
  ZACHARY - Local drone operator Atmosphere Aerial had a drone up on Saturday afternoon in Zachary to capture flood waters before they recede.The drone was up over Plank Road in Zachary where the amount of flood water is shocking to see. Paul with Atmosphere Aerial said the footage was taken above Plank Road, north of Main Street. He said the water is flooding in from the Comite River and Redwood Creek.Check out the full video above.Permalink| Comments
  
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• School closures announced for early next week due to flooding

  13-08-2016 15:11
  
  Parishes affected by the weekend's historic flooding are already announcing the closure of public school closures early next week as families will be working to recover.Parishes with public schools closed on Monday include:Ascension
  East Feliciana (Monday and Tuesday)
  West Feliciana
  Livingston (Until further notice)This decision was made out of an abundance of caution and in consultation with emergency officials.Individual schools that have announced they will be closed on Monday includ
  
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• Ascension Public Schools closed Monday

  13-08-2016 15:11
  
  DONALDSONVILLE - Ascension Public Schools and offices will be closed on Monday after historic flooding over the weekend.This decision was made out of an abundance of caution and in consultation with emergency officials.The latest projections show Bayou Manchac cresting at 21.5 feet (12.5 feet over flood stage) on Sunday evening and the Amite River at Port Vincent cresting at 16 feet (8 feet over flood stage) on Monday. Images of those project
  
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• Interstate routes closed at several points by high water

  13-08-2016 14:20
  
  BATON ROUGE - State Police are working on closing I-12 in both directions at LA 1077 as flood waters continue to creep onto the interstates in and around the Capital City.Traffic will be diverted from I-12 onto LA 22 until the water recedes.I-10 East in Baton Rouge has remained closed at Bluebonnet Boulevard since early Saturday morning after water began to cover lanes of travel. US 61 is a suggested alternate route.I-10 West is closed at Highland Road.A complete list of road closures i
  
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• Curfews continue tonight in multiple parishes

  13-08-2016 14:15
  
  ASCENSION PARISH - Parish officials announced a dusk to dawn curfew in Ascension Parish starting Saturday night.Residents will be asked to stay off the roads after nightfall as flood waters have made a great number of roads impassable.No mandatory evacuations are in place in Ascension Parish at this time.The complete list of areas with curfews and their times is as follows:Baker - 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  Central - 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  Clinton - 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  East Feliciana Parish - 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  Livi
  
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• Curfew goes into effect in Ascension Parish at dusk

  13-08-2016 14:15
  
  ASCENSION PARISH - Parish officials announced a dusk to dawn curfew in Ascension Parish starting Saturday night.Residents will be asked to stay off the roads after nightfall as flood waters have made a great number of roads impassable.No mandatory evacuations are in place in Ascension Parish at this time.Check back with this story for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• List of church services closed

  13-08-2016 14:05
  
  BATON ROUGE - Many churches in the area have announced their closures for Sunday services.Here's the list of churches closed for Sunday:University Presbyterian near LSUAll Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Baton RougeFaith Crossing United Methodist ChurchBroadmoor Baptist ChurchLivingston Parish Sheriff's Office is asking for churches along the Highway 190 corridor to be used as shelters. If churches accept the request, officials need church leaders to be at the shelter. A church representativ
  
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• List of church services cancelled for Sunday

  13-08-2016 14:05
  
  BATON ROUGE - Many churches in the area have announced their closures for Sunday services.Here's the list of churches closed for Sunday:University Presbyterian near LSU
  Faith Crossing United Methodist Church
  First Baptist Church Baton Rouge (Convention Street)
  Gloryland Baptist Church, 6745 Greenwell Spring
  Healing Place Church
  First United Methodist Church, in Baton Rouge
  Ingleside United Methodist ChurchCatholic churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge may be closed. Bishop Robert Muench issued
  
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• Displaced residents arriving at Baker shelter

  13-08-2016 13:49
  
  BAKER - Dozens of people are staying at a Red Cross shelter in Baker after they had to be rescued or helped from the Louisiana floods.John Mitchell said he swam to safety with his pit bull. Police officers in a boat picked up his girlfriend, her young daughter and his father.Mitchell fears he lost their trailer home and his car, which was flooded up to the seats. A bag of clothes was all he had time to save as the water levels rapidly rose.The governor says more than 1,000 people have been rescu
  
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• Boil water orders issued in parts of Livingston, Tangipahoa

  13-08-2016 13:47
  
  FRENCH SETTLEMENT - The French Settlement Water Company has issued a Boil Water Advisory for the following systems:French Settlement
  Oakridge
  Stonebridge
  Coyell
  Head of Island
  Vincent Place
  Springfield
  Pine Heaven
  Sandyridge
  Warsaw
  Port Vincent
  Oakwood
  Hammond Heights
  Blackcat
  Brady Place
  VelmaA statement from the water company reads as follows:French Settlement Water Company operates 16 public water supplies, 5 in Tangipahoa Parish and 11 in Livingston Parish.  Flooding is widespread i
  
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• Coast Guard helicopters aid in rescue efforts

  13-08-2016 13:45
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Coast Guard reported five people were rescued in the Baton Rouge area thanks to an MH-65 helicopter and its crew.The helicopter was dispatched from the Coast Guard Air Station in New Orleans to Baton Rouge where two adults and their 6-year-old child were rescued and evacuated.A second helicopter rescued a pair of adult women and evacuated them to the Baton Rouge Metro Airport.Coast Guard aircrews and helicopters are continuing to respond as rescue efforts in multiple parishes c
  
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• LDWF reports rescue of 500 people, 100 animals

  13-08-2016 13:28
  
  BATON ROUGE - Wildlife and Fisheries agents reported they’ve rescued nearly 500 people along with more than 100 animals since Friday.Search and rescue operations have continued through Saturday morning as rainfall has continued to fall and rivers rise.LDWF released the following by parish rescue totals:East Feliciana - 49 people and 5 animalsEast Baton Rouge - 102 people/35 animals
  Iberia - 30 people/2 animals
  Livingston - 66 people/16 animals
  Lafayette - 83 people/25 animals
  St. Helen
  
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• Troopers identify man killed when pickup truck swept off Hwy 10

  13-08-2016 12:43
  
  ST. HELENA PARISH - State Police have identified a Greensburg man who was killed Friday night after his pickup truck was swept off Highway 10 by flood water.The body of 54-year-old Samuel Muse was recovered by St. Helena firefighters just before dark. His remains were found off the roadway on the south side of LA 10 at Darlings Creek, three miles west of LA 1043.Muse’s vehicle became submerged in water after he tried to drive through high water and his vehicle was swept off the road. T
  
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• Deputies still searching for missing vehicles in St. Helena

  13-08-2016 09:50
  
  ST. HELENA PARISH - First responders are continuing to search high water for two vehicles that have gone missing since Saturday morning.A woman was rescued on Highway 1048 earlier in the day, but she told first responders that she saw another vehicle float away while she was trapped in her car on Friday night.Deputies believe another vehicle may be missing off of Highway 10 at the Darling Creek Bridge. A man drowned at that same location on Friday.Two large trucks have been washed off of Highway
  
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• 2nd big rig wrecked on Hwy 10 due to flooding

  13-08-2016 09:50
  
  CLINTON - A second 18-wheeler was wreck on Highway 10 near Clinton due to flooding.Witnesses at the scene said people were driving around barricades including the big rig that was washed off the road. The driver's condition is currently unknown.Highway 10 near the same spot was heavily damaged by flood water on Friday afternoon. A tanker truck was pushed off the roadway, and rescue crews had to save the driver from the roof of the vehicle. One of the rescue attempts ended in tragedy when a picku
  
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• More than 1,000 people rescued in Livingston Parish so far

  13-08-2016 09:25
  
  LIVINGSTON PARISH - Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks says they have around 150 pending rescues they have yet to get to in the Watson area on Saturday morning.More than 1,000 people have already been rescued, according to officials. The La. National Guard has also responded to the area to aid the rescue efforts.People that haven’t already been rescued are urged to contact officials as soon as possible to make sure they are in the queue to be rescued. Many parish roads are impass
  
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• La. Guard Blackhawk helicopter aiding rescue efforts in Watson

  13-08-2016 07:25
  
  LIVINGSTON - A Louisiana National Guard helicopter is en route to Watson where an emergency flooding situation is unfolding.With the Amite River level rising fast, several hundred residents along Bend Road in the Watson area must be evacuated immediately.LPSO deputies are in the area helping residents move to dry ground, but residents who have yet to get out are urged to meet deputies at 35980 Bend Road.Livingston Parish officials will provide updates at 9 a.m. Saturday.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Governor declares state of emergency over flooding

  13-08-2016 06:52
  
  Heavy downpours pounded parts of the central U.S. Gulf Coast on Friday, forcing the rescue of dozens of people stranded in homes by waist-high water and leaving two people dead in floodwaters.
  
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• BR 911 lines overloaded with calls for surrounding parishes

  13-08-2016 06:39
  
  BATON ROUGE - Residents of Baton Rouge attempting to use 911 this morning may be unable to get through due to the high volume of calls coming in from surrounding parishes.BRPD said as flood water has risen overnight in neighboring parishes, the calls have continued to come in.911 dispatchers can only send help to residents that fall within their service area, so residents in surrounding parishes are advised to contact their own local authorities as soon as they can. The 911 call center
  
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• Livingston sheriff urges resident near Amite River to evacuate immediately

  13-08-2016 05:37
  
  WATSON - Livingston Parish Sheriff is urging residents living near the rising Amite River to evacuate from the area immediately.Sheriff's deputies are currently on Bend Road trying to get to many homes as possible. Resident who can get out on their own are asked to meet deputies at 35000 block of Bend Road."I believe this is a life-threatening situation," Sheriff Jason Ard said. "We need to move quickly."The 911/Communication center on South Satsuma Road was taking on water on Friday and had to
  
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