Baton Rouge news

• Flooding death reported in Rapides Parish, raising toll to 11

  16-08-2016 23:24
  
  An 11th flooding death was reported, according to a tally from the Louisiana Department of Health on Tuesday afternoon.
  
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• In the Louisiana Flood of 2016, the people are the story

  16-08-2016 22:58
  
  Stories of rescue and sacrifice inspire even the most cynical of souls
  
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• Louisiana Flood of 2016: 15 things you need to know on Tuesday afternoon

  16-08-2016 22:00
  
  "Nobody is going to be forgotten." - Gov. John Bel Edwards
  
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• Louisiana Flood of 2016: 15 things you need to know on Tuesday

  16-08-2016 22:00
  
  "Nobody is going to be forgotten." - Gov. John Bel Edwards
  
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• I-10 eastbound reopens as floodwaters recede, westbound still closed

  16-08-2016 21:28
  
  Eastbound I-10 was reopened at about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
  
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• Holden: City-Parish workers should report to work Wednesday

  16-08-2016 21:12
  
  BATON ROUGE - All City-Parish employees should report to work Wednesday, according to Mayor-President Kip Holden Saturday. In a tweet shared Tuesday night on Baton Rouge's official Twitter account, Holden said employees will resume work at city offices and return to normal operating hours.Any city-parish employee who have been impacted by the flooding and can not report for work Wednesday should notify their supervisor, a second tweet reads..@MayorKipHolden announced City-Parish employe
  
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• Louisiana flooding death toll rises to 10, state official says

  16-08-2016 21:06
  
  Deaths were reported in Tangipahoa and East Baton Rouge parishes on Tuesday
  
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• Volunteers keep children happy with free face painting

  16-08-2016 21:04
  
  BATON ROUGE – Party Time and LSU students kept children who evacuated with their families in good spirits with free face painting and toys on Tuesday.The Party Time Bluebonnet location did donated painting kits and toys for children at the shelter set up at Celtic Studios and donated seven face painting kits.In addition, LSU exchange students from Germany and France painted the faces of children as animals, super heroes and other characters.Celctic Studios was one of the first stops th
  
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• Taylor Swift donating $1 million to Louisiana flood efforts

  16-08-2016 20:42
  
  NEW YORK - Taylor Swift is donating $1 million to Louisiana after torrential rains caused massive flooding in the state and killed at least 11 people.Swift told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Louisiana residents "made us feel completely at home" when she and her touring crew kicked off the U.S. dates of her "1989 World Tour" in the state last year.The flooding is some of the worst in Louisiana history, damaging at least 40,000 homes. More than 60,000 people have registered for disaster aid
  
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• Anheuser-Busch delivers 250K cans of water to BR area

  16-08-2016 20:32
  
  BATON ROUGE – Anheuser-Busch is delivering more than 250,000 cans of clean drinking water to flood victims in Louisiana. The donation is the company's largest since Superstorm Sandy and brings its total water donations this year to more than 1 million cans.Anheuser-Busch company has been brewing beers for more than 160 years and is best known for its American-style lagers, Budweiser and Bud Light.The company's brewery is located in Cartersville, Georgia where the water is prod
  
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• 9th person has died in historic Louisiana flood, TV station reports

  16-08-2016 20:14
  
  Bill Borne's death marks the fifth death in East Baton Rouge Parish as a result of flooding.
  
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• 9,500 may lose power if waters rise at Gonzales substation

  16-08-2016 19:39
  
  GONZALES – Entergy officials say that about 9,500 customers may lose power if waters continue to rise at the Gonzales substation.Entergy is asking customers to be prepared in case the substation needs to be shut off.
  The boundaries of the customers that could potentially affected are from Black Bayou Road to the north, Loosemoore Road to the south, Hwy. 22 to the east and South Burnside to the west.
  More than 14,000 customers are still without power in East Baton Rouge, Livingston and
  
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• Distribution sites for MREs and water open Wednesday

  16-08-2016 19:25
  
  LIVINGSTON – Sites are now set up for distributing MRE's and water to residents that have been impacted by the recent flooding.The sites have been set up by Livingston Parish Office of Homeland Security, the Louisiana Army and Air National Guard and the American Red Cross.The distribution sites are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Wednesday and can be found here :
   Live Oak Elementary
  35194 Old LA Hwy 16, Denham Springs, 70706
  (225) 665-6702
   Denham Springs High S
  
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• AT&T still working to restore service

  16-08-2016 19:21
  
  BATON ROUGE – AT&T crews are working to repair damage to the flooded Baton Rouge switching center, but have restored the majority of wireless customers by rerouting traffic to a nearby facility, according to company officials.Technicians and engineers are continuing to work around the clock to complete further restoration.
  The Network Disaster Recovery Team has deployed more than 10 satellite Cell on Light Trucks (COLTs), Emergency Communications Vehicles (ECV) and a mobile command
  
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• Residents asked to go to alternate postal offices

  16-08-2016 17:40
  
  BATON ROUGE – The United States Postal Office is notifying residents affected by the recent flooding, to go to alternate post offices to get their mail.Residents are asked to go to the postal office located at 8101 Bluebonnet Boulevard. Below is a list of impacted post offices in the Baton Rouge area advised to go the alternate postal office on Bluebonnet:Greenwell Springs, LA , 70739 to Zachary, LA 70791Baton Rouge-Central Finance Station, 70818 to Scotlandville, LA, 70807Weyanoke, LA
  
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• In Baton Rouge, worst of times brings out best in residents

  16-08-2016 17:07
  
  Through grief, anger, shock, people of Capital Region lean on remarkable capacity for compassion to get through trouble
  
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• EBR debris removal contract activated in response to recent flooding

  16-08-2016 16:55
  
  BATON ROUGE - The City-Parish has activated its debris removal contract in response to recent catastrophic flooding.Debris contractors have begun to formulate their plans for removal based on areas where flood water has generated the greatest volume of debris and the extent to which these areas can be safely accessed to perform the removal.Mayor Holden has asked residents with debris that needs to be collected to be patient with the collection process and follow instructions closely for how and
  
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• Louisiana Flood of 2016: 9 things you need to know Tuesday morning

  16-08-2016 16:37
  
  The governor is asking people to hold off on making certain kinds of donations for now.
  
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• After looting arrests, EBR, Livingston, Zachary sets curfew

  16-08-2016 15:32
  
  BATON ROUGE – A curfew is being put in place in Baton Rouge as authorities respond to reports of looting.Multiple arrests were made Monday and authorities were fielding calls Tuesday about businesses being looted.The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office says the curfew will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.At least 40,000 homes have been damaged and 10 people killed in some of the worst flooding in Louisiana history, touched off by as much as 2 feet of rain in 48 hours. Over 30,0
  
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• After looting arrests, Baton Rouge sets curfew; Livingston curfew extended

  16-08-2016 15:32
  
  BATON ROUGE – A curfew is being put in place in Baton Rouge as authorities respond to reports of looting.Multiple arrests were made Monday and authorities were fielding calls Tuesday about businesses being looted.The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office says the curfew will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.At least 40,000 homes have been damaged and 10 people killed in some of the worst flooding in Louisiana history, touched off by as much as 2 feet of rain in 48 hours. Over 30,0
  
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• After looting arrests, Baton Rouge sets curfew

  16-08-2016 15:32
  
  BATON ROUGE – A curfew is being put in place in Baton Rouge as authorities respond to reports of looting.Multiple arrests were made Monday and authorities were fielding calls Tuesday about businesses being looted.The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office says the curfew will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.At least 40,000 homes have been damaged and 10 people killed in some of the worst flooding in Louisiana history, touched off by as much as 2 feet of rain in 48 hours. Over 30,0
  
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• St. Gabriel women's prison evacuated as precaution

  16-08-2016 15:31
  
  ST. GABRIEL – Roughly 1,200 people are being evacuated from the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel.A spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Corrections said that the prison has not taken on water at this time, but the prisoners were evacuated as a precaution.The Department of Corrections did not say where the prisoners were being relocated to. More details will be released at a later time.A WBRZ News 2 crew is en route to the prison.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Boil water advisory in effect for some Ascension subdivisions

  16-08-2016 14:59
  
  ASCENSION PARISH - A boil water advisory is now in effect for some water systems in Ascension Parish.The advisory was issued by the Diversion Water Company. The following neighborhoods are affected:Bayou Estates
  New River
  River Run
  Cypress Lakes
  The company says the boil advisory was put into place for all of its water systems due to the lack of access due to high waters, according to the company.The order will remain in effect until further notice.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Affected parishes eligible for disaster unemployment assistance

  16-08-2016 14:29
  
  BATON ROUGE – President Barack Obama granted a major disaster declaration for 12 Louisiana parishes, making disaster unemployment assistance available to businesses and residents whose employment was lost or interrupted as a result of the recent flooding.
  The Louisiana Workforce Commission is accepting applications for disaster unemployment assistance from residents and businesses in the multiple parishes. The following parishes are:East Baton Rouge
  Livingston
  St. Helena
  Tangipahoa
  Aca
  
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• Gamecocks fans rally to donate supplies for La. floods

  16-08-2016 14:22
  
  COLUMBIA, SC - The University of South Carolina has set up donation spots to collect supplies to be sent to Louisiana’s flood victims.“LSU was so gracious to assist us in our time of need,” USC President Harris Pastides said. “Now it is our turn to help our SEC friends. I encourage all Gamecocks to drop off items needed for Baton Rouge flood relief.”South Carolina fans can bring items to the Gamecock Football equipment truck located at 4464 Devin
  
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• Walker mayor preparing lawsuit over flooding; Blames state, feds

  16-08-2016 14:17
  
  WALKER - The mayor of this Livingston Parish city said he is going to file a lawsuit against the state and federal government, blaming the construction of I-12 for flooding most of the city.About 80% of the homes were flooded, Mayor Rick Ramsey said.  "As soon as our attorney gets out of his flooded subdivision, we're putting it in his lap," a frustrated mayor said in a live TV interview on WBRZ just after noon Tuesday."I have told everyone who will listen," Mayor Rick Ramsey said, abou
  
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• BRPD presence to increase after Monday night looting arrests

  16-08-2016 14:11
  
  BATON ROUGE - Mayor Kip Holden announced Tuesday that Baton Rouge Police will maintain a strong presence in areas of the city where looting has occurred.Holden said multiple arrests were made on Monday and several calls are being received during the day on Tuesday about acts of looting.BRPD Chief Carl Dabadie said police officers are doing everything they can to protect homes and businesses.“We are not going to tolerate lawlessness of any kind or anywhere in our city,” Mayor
  
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• BRPD presence to be increased in North Baton Rouge after looting

  16-08-2016 14:11
  
  BATON ROUGE - Mayor Kip Holden announced Tuesday that Baton Rouge Police will maintain a strong presence in areas of the city where looting has occurred after six were arrested overnight.Baton Rouge Police confirmed that a total of six arrests were made in the early morning hours of Sunday after people entered homes and vehicles in North Baton Rouge. BRPD reported the arrests came in the areas of Beechwood Drive and Doughtery Drive. Two of the arrested were juveniles.BRPD Chief Carl Dabadie said
  
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• State Police sets up hotline for cars towed on I-12

  16-08-2016 14:10
  
  The Louisiana State Police set up a hotline for people trying to get information on how to get their cars that were towed after stranded on I-12.Due to the recent severe weather and flooding in the state, numerous vehicles were left in the lanes and on the shoulders of the interstate.Vehicle owners are asked to call the State Police hotline at 225-922-0444 or 225-922-0447. Drivers should be prepared with as much information about their vehicle as possible, such as their license plate number, veh
  
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• I-10 opens Tuesday

  16-08-2016 14:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - Traffic flows on I-10 between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.The interstate was closed as flood water covered the interstate.  Water remains in one lane in each direction, but traffic was allowed to travel through the other lane. Just before 8 a.m. on Wednesday, LA DOTD announced all lanes of I-10 East were back open after extended closures due to high water. I-12 was also reopened after being closed.Watch WBRZ traffic reporter Ashley Fruge for upda
  
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• Humane Society of the United States assists Louisiana animals, residents

  16-08-2016 14:06
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Rescue Team is on the ground in South Louisiana to provide disaster relief for pets and residents in the wake of severe flooding in the state.The organization is currently assisting in the transport of more than 100 dogs from Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter in Marrero and Companion Animal Alliance in Baton Rouge to make room for the influx of displaced animals the shelters are already seeing. The animals will travel from Lou
  
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• Mayor of Central calls for 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew

  16-08-2016 13:46
  
  CENTRAL - City officials in Central have put a curfew into place until further notice.A release from the Mayor of Central says the curfew will begin at 10 p.m. and run to 6 a.m.The curfew will first go into effect at 10 p.m. Tuesday.All of Central’s main thoroughfares were cut off on Sunday as nearby rivers overflowed. Hooper Road, Joor Road, Greenwell Springs Road and the Central Thruway were all blocked, making access to the area practically impossible.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Sorrento mom: 'I have nowhere to go.'

  16-08-2016 13:09
  
  SORRENTO – A Sorrento mother was brought to tears Tuesday after returning to her home to find it flooded with water.The single mother of two boys told WBRZ’s Earl Phelps that she evacuated Monday night to Pierre Part after battling rising waters Monday afternoon.She said the home belonged to her mother who died a year ago. The house is currently in succession so she does not have flood insurance because it is in her mother’s name.Authorities issued a voluntary&n
  
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• LSU partially open Tuesday, SU reschedules university events

  16-08-2016 13:03
  
  BATON ROUGE – LSU will be partially open on Tuesday and Southern University will remain closed until Thursday.LSU will hold a "condensed orientation" on Aug. 17 to replace the originally scheduled Aug. 15 – 16 session. Students planning to live on campus will be allowed to move into residence halls on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.Activities related to LSU sororities and fraternities have been scheduled for the Aug. 24 – 30.LSU football head coach Les Mil
  
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• St. James residents prepare for still rising waters

  16-08-2016 13:01
  
  ST. JAMES PARISH - St. James Parish authorities are asking for volunteers to fill sandbags at seven locations around the parish.While some parts of Louisiana are starting to enter a recovery mode, others downstream are preparing for more flooding.St. James Parish authorities say in an update on the sheriff's office website that there were no evacuations or shelters as of Tuesday morning.The message also says people who need sandbags are encouraged to bring their own shovels and bag their own san
  
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• Flood-related death toll sits at 8

  16-08-2016 12:39
  
  BATON ROUGE - Eight deaths are now attributed to the storms and flooding in south Louisiana.Devin George, state registrar for vital records, said Tuesday the latest confirmed death occurred in East Baton Rouge Parish. A 66-year-old man's body was found in the Sherwood Forest area.George described it as an "accidental drowning" related to the storm.Of the eight deaths, two were in Tangipahoa Parish, two were in St. Helena Parish and the other four were in East Baton Rouge Parish.Floodwaters were
  
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• Death toll increases to 10 in Louisiana floods

  16-08-2016 12:39
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana officials have increased the death toll to 10 from the unprecedented flooding in the southern part of the state.Devin George, state registrar for vital records, said Tuesday the latest deaths are accidental drownings.One was in Tangipahoa Parish. The body of a 49-year-old man was discovered in a wooded area near Kentwood. The other death occurred in East Baton Rouge Parish. A 58-year-old man was discovered in the woods near Millar Estates.The floods began during torrentia
  
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• 11 deaths confirmed in Louisiana flooding

  16-08-2016 12:39
  
  BATON ROUGE - Eleven deaths have been confirmed as a result of storms and flooding in south Louisiana.Devin George, state registrar for vital records, said Tuesday the latest confirmed death occurred in Rapides Parish. He did not immediately provide details.Of the other deaths, five were in East Baton Rouge Parish, three in Tangipahoa Parish and two were in St. Helena Parish.One was in Tangipahoa Parish. The body of a 49-year-old man was discovered in a wooded area near Kentwood. The ot
  
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• SLIDESHOW: Devastation in Denham Springs

  16-08-2016 12:26
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - Officials in Denham Springs say around 90 percent of homes experienced flooding during unrivaled flooding that came to the region last weekend.All around town, water lines show just how high the flood got. Water levels are continuing to drop, but the true scale of the devastation is only just beginning to be revealed.At Denham Springs High School, the gymnasium floor buckled after the school took on several feet of water. The oak floor was put down on the court in 1952. The prin
  
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• PHOTOS: Devastation revealed as floodwaters recede

  16-08-2016 12:26
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - Officials in Denham Springs say around 90 percent of homes experienced flooding during unrivaled flooding that came to the region last weekend.All around town, water lines show just how high the flood got. Water levels are continuing to drop, but the true scale of the devastation is only just beginning to be revealed.At Denham Springs High School, the gymnasium floor buckled after the school took on several feet of water. The oak floor was put down on the court in 1952. The prin
  
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• Some CATS bus routes remain in limited service

  16-08-2016 09:52
  
  BATON ROUGE - CATS say it is continuing to support rescue and evacuation operations, but more buses will return to regular service than in the days prior on Tuesday.Service has been restored to most routes, but trips are limited and buses are not running as regularly as they normally do. Riders are advised to consult www.brcats.com for more info.The following routes will have limited service on Tuesday, Aug. 16:8 Gus Young/BRCC
  10 Scenic Hwy/Southern
  11 Northside Circulator
  12 Government/Jeffers
  
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• Baker residents can return home starting Tuesday

  16-08-2016 09:41
  
  BAKER – Baker residents can return home, the mayor said Tuesday.Mayor Darnell Waites said a couple hundred people – some 30 to 40% of the city – had water.  Most of the water had receeded when Waites spoke with WBRZ sometime after 9 a.m. Tuesday.“We’re holding it together,” Waites said, about how city officials and citizens are handling the situation.********************Follow the publisher of this post on Twitter: @treyschmalt
  
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• Large number of travel restrictions lifted in Livingston Parish

  16-08-2016 09:37
  
  LIVINGSTON PARISH - Officials in Livingston Parish announced that they are lifting a majority of the traffic restrictions that have kept Denham Springs at a standstill during early recovery efforts.Parish President Layton Ricks said all travel restrictions for most of the parish are now dismissed. However, Ricks points out three key spots within the Denham Springs city limits that are not included and remain restricted:LA Hwy 16 at Cockerham Road
  US 190 eastbound at Denham Springs city limits on
  
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• Helicopter crew saves family, infant from flooded car in Livingston Parish

  16-08-2016 09:23
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Coast Guard continues to respond to flooding in Baton Rouge, rescuing an additional 12 people on Monday night.They assisted with another 34 rescues.At about 8 p.m. Monday, a helicopter crew was diverted to rescue a family of three, including a five-day-old infant having respiratory complications, who were trapped in their car on a highway surrounded by water in Livingston Parish.The family and infant were hosted into the helicopter to be taken to North Oaks Medical Center in Ha
  
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• East Baton Rouge sees continued search and rescue operations

  16-08-2016 09:12
  
  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge firefighters say they’re continuing to go door-to-door to try to complete rescue and recovery efforts on Tuesday morning.Emergency responders are spread throughout East Baton Rouge Parish at this time to complete welfare checks on residents. They ask that the community remain aware that emergency officials will be operating in all areas throughout the day.A press conference will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Eme
  
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• Motorists see delays as stretch of Airline reopens

  16-08-2016 08:46
  
  BATON ROUGE - Airline Highway from Prescott Road to Evangeline Street is back open to traffic after high water kept the roadway closed during the weekend.Traffic officials urge patience for motorists as delays can be expected in the area. Viewers of our Facebook Live stream said bumper-to-bumper traffic is the norm right now as residents start to head back to work.A list of Baton Rouge road closures is available here. You can check LA DOTD’s map of closures to help set a route for movi
  
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• Medical volunteers still needed at Celtic Media shelter

  16-08-2016 08:17
  
  BATON ROUGE - Medical volunteers are still wanted at the Celtic Media Centre shelter off Airline Highway Tuesday.The soundstage and production facility was converted into a shelter over the weekend as historic flooding thrust many residents of the area out of their homes. By the time Sunday evening was setting in, more than 2,000 residents of Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes had made their way to the shelter.While an outpouring of generosity from the community was able to equip the facility
  
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• List of emergency, benefit hotline numbers

  16-08-2016 07:52
  
  BATON ROUGE - With many residents taking the first steps today toward picking up the pieces after devastating weekend flooding, we're compiling a list of frequently asked for phone numbers. If what you're looking for isn't on this, let us know at [email protected] and we'll be sure to get it added.EBR emergency number - 225-389-2100Livingston Parish Emergency - 225-686-3996 Tangipahoa Parish Emergency - 985-748-3211Ascension Parish Emergency - 225-621-8300, Option 1DSNAP Benefits H
  
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• Louisiana rolls out mobile pet shelter

  16-08-2016 07:46
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has activated its mobile pet shelter to the Baton Rouge River Center which is now sheltering evacuees.
  Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain said in a news release Monday the mobile pet shelter can hold approximately 50 pets. It's a tractor trailer equipped with metal cages, generator, battery power and a cleaning station. It has an air ventilation system to provide proper air circulation and temperature for the pets.
  
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• Flood victims should pre-register for benefits, state says

  16-08-2016 01:01
  
  State first needs approval from federal government before funds for eligible affected residents can roll in.
  
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