Baton Rouge news

• From heart-breaking loss to back-breaking recovery

  19-08-2016 23:33
  
  Neighborhood streets that were buried under seven feet of water four days ago now find themselves choked by massive piles of debris
  
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• One of two wrecks on Jefferson Hwy. involved a police officer

  19-08-2016 21:49
  
  BATON ROUGE - A police officer was involved in a wreck responding to a more serious crash near the corner of Jefferson and Drusilla Friday night.Initially, authorities were dispatched to a crash involving a motorcycle and an an automobile.  The coroner's office was called to the crash involving the motorcycle and so was the Baton Rouge Police Traffic Homicide Unit.  Specific information about the crash has not been released.Police said the officer was likely involved in the sec
  
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• Samaritan's Purse volunteer group begins clean-up work for flood victims

  19-08-2016 21:46
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - Volunteers with Samaritan's Purse are arriving from all over the country to help flood victims. Little by little, one load at a time, volunteers are throwing out the pieces."It's hot and there's a lot of stuff and it's the first time I've ever done, I've done tornado once, but not flood, it's kind of a different deal," Steven Lawrence, volunteer, said.The task at hand seems never ending, but the devastation that surrounds them is enough to keep the group going."You know
  
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• Residents work to rescue roaming alligators on Alligator Bayou Road

  19-08-2016 21:17
  
  ASCENSION PARISH – A rescue mission is underway in and around the Spanish Lake Basin as escaped alligators are roaming around Alligator Bayou Road.
  Currently, the road remains closed due to some minor flooding, but residents also have to watch out for the gators. So far Frank Bonifay and Devin Kinberger have made five rescues."We're going to catch him just like we been doing, saving them and putting them back in their pen. It's going to take a few days maybe a few weeks," Bonifay said.
  
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• 16-year-old passenger dies in head-on collision

  19-08-2016 20:29
  
  NEW ROADS – A 16-year-old is dead following a two-vehicle crash on LA 1 South in Pointe Coupee parish.On Thursday, around 3 p.m. 17-year-old Harlee Doucet of Moganza was traveling northbound on LA 1 in a Toyota Corolla. At the same time, 46-year-old Amy Self was traveling southbound on LA 1 in a Ford Expedition.
  Doucet began to pass another vehicle going northbound and collided head-on with Self's vehicle in the southbound lane.
  The brother of Harlee Doucet, Nicholas, was in the front
  
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• City-Parish launches flood inundation map

  19-08-2016 19:41
  
  BATON ROUGE – City-Parish officials released a flood inundation map that provides depictions of estimated flooding following the severe weather in the area.The map shows data inputs such as 911 calls, Baton Rouge Fire Department calls for rescue, 311 requests for flood-related service, City of Zachary damage assessments, FEMA flood hazard area data and street-level damage assessments. Based on the inundation map, more than 58 percent of East Baton Rouge Parish had been impacted by floo
  
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• 24 arrested overnight for looting in Livingston Parish

  19-08-2016 19:14
  
  LIVINGSTON – The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office has reported 24 arrests for looting overnight following the recent flooding and severe weather.Ard reminded those that may be wanting to copy similar behavior that if found guilty of looting, they can face up to 15 years in jail and a $10,000 found."Looting at a time like this - when some lost all - is disgraceful, disrespectful & will not be tolerated," Ard said.Ard went on to write that full prosecution will be pursued in all of
  
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• Boil water advisory lifted in several subdivisions in Livingston Parish

  19-08-2016 18:42
  
  LIVINGSTON PARISH – Several subdivisions in Livingston Parish that were under a boil water advisory has been lifted.The following subdivisions under the Diversion Water Company are no longer under the advisory:
  - Waterfront
  - Riverhighlands
  - Bayou terrace
  - Hilltop
  - Cline
  - Diversion Canal Road
  - Amite River Road
  - Three Rivers Island
  - Montrose
  - Oak Forrest
  - Ruth Lane
  - Olivia Rose
  - Terry Harbor
  - Tall PinesThe following subdivisions under the Diversion Water Company REMAIN under
  
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• When will schools reopen? - Updated closure list

  19-08-2016 17:57
  
  BATON ROUGE – As Baton Rouge area communities begin to rebuild and recover, public schools are set to reopen in most parishes next week.The following schools are scheduled to open on these days:ParishReopen DateAscensionPossible Wednesday Aug. 24 (Click for more info)East Baton RougeWednesday, Aug. 24East FelicianaTuesday, Aug. 23IbervilleMonday, Aug 22LivingstonCLOSED until further noticeSt. Helena Monday, Aug. 22 St. JamesMonday, Aug. 22TangipahoaWednesday, Aug. 24W
  
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• Cox teams work to restore outages in Livingston, Ascension and EBR

  19-08-2016 17:21
  
  BATON ROUGE – Cox Communications teams will continue to work in Livingston, Ascension and East Baton Rouge areas to repair outages to those who have been impacted by the recent flooding.The company says that customers in Livingston Parish should see services restored in some non-flooded areas as soon as this weekend.The company reports it is making significant progress restoring its Denham Springs secondary telecommunications center damaged during the flood which feeds services to all
  
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• ExxonMobil to donate $500k to disaster relief efforts

  19-08-2016 17:16
  
  BATON ROUGE – ExxonMobil announced Friday that the company will donate $500,000 to two organizations to disaster relief in Louisiana after this week’s historic flooding.In a statement Friday, ExxonMobil said the $500,000 will be donated to the American Red Cross as well as the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.“Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends and neighbors in Louisiana who have been impacted by storms and severe flooding in the region,"  Rex W. Ti
  
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• AT&T to donate $100k to flood relief efforts

  19-08-2016 17:02
  
  BATON ROUGE – AT&T announced Friday that the company will donate $100,000 to two flood relief organizations in Louisiana after this week’s historic flooding.In a statement released Friday, AT&T said the Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s Louisiana Flood Relief Fund and DonorsChoice.org will both receive $50,000.“As partners in the growth and sustainability of our communities, it is crucial that we extend a hand in anticipation of the long road ahead in
  
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• 'Res-Que' team to give out free BBQ meals to flood victims, first responders

  19-08-2016 17:00
  
  BATON ROUGE – Members of Fleur de Que, Hog Dat Nation, March of the Pigs, Hogs for the Cause and Bacon Rouge are coming together to feed the Baton Rouge community following the recent flooding and severe weather.
  The group, dubbed as Hogs Res-Que Team, will be cooking barbecue lunches in front of the GMFS Mortgage at 7389 Florida Boulevard for flood victims, clean-up crews, first responders and anyone else in need of a warm meal.The group expects to start serving meals at 11 a.m. and w
  
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• EBR debris removal to begin Monday in 5 zip codes

  19-08-2016 16:39
  
  BATON ROUGE – Mayor Kip Holden announced that debris removal will begin work in East Baton Rouge Parish starting Monday, Aug. 22 following the recent flooding.The removal efforts will begin in the following zip codes:- 70714
  - 70802
  - 70819
  - 70814- 70811
  The above areas were selected based on assessments conducted on areas most heavily impacted by the flooding along with areas where residents have already started to set out flood-related debris.Residents who live in the above zip code
  
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• School uniform and supply drive to be held this weekend at Bluebonnet library

  19-08-2016 15:22
  
  BATON ROUGE – A drive will be held on Saturday for school supplies and uniforms for students who have been impacted by the recent severe weather and flooding.Donations for the drive will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library at 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd.New or gently used school uniforms and basic supplies will be accepted along with basic school supplies.Needs include:- Navy and khaki bottoms-Burgundy and navy shirts with a collar- Bo
  
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• EBRSO looking for phone store looter

  19-08-2016 14:57
  
  BATON ROUGE – Deputies are looking for a man who they say shattered the front door of a Baton Rouge phone store and looted four display phones Thursday night.According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, the looting happened at 11:12 p.m. Thursday at the Metro PCS store located on Coursey Blvd.Security cameras captured the man throwing a brick through the front door then stealing four display phones, a Samsung Galaxy phone and a page of headph
  
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• President plans Tuesday visit to Baton Rouge area

  19-08-2016 14:53
  
  BATON ROUGE- President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit flood-ravaged areas next week, WBRZ has learned.The president will be in the Baton Rouge area Tuesday.  He is scheduled to "get a first hand look at the ... flood damage in the state," ABC News reported."The President is mindful of the impact that his travel has on first responders and wants to ensure that his presence does not interfere with ongoing recovery efforts," a White House spokesperson said in a statement. &
  
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• Bar owner files lawsuit against Governor, Sheriff over EBR curfew

  19-08-2016 14:43
  
  BATON ROUGE –A Baton Rouge bar owner filed a lawsuit Friday against Governor John Bel Edwards and East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux for imposing a curfew for residents following this week's servere weather and historic flooding.Brian Ott, the owner of Uncle Earl's, says Edwards and Gautreaux violated federal civil rights by ordering the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew beginning Aug. 16 for East Baton Rouge residents. The circumstances under which the curfew was instated
  
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• Bar owner files, drops lawsuit against Governor, Sheriff over EBR curfew

  19-08-2016 14:43
  
  BATON ROUGE –A Baton Rouge bar owner filed and then dropped a lawsuit Friday against Governor John Bel Edwards and East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux for imposing a curfew for residents following this week's severe weather and historic flooding.Brian Ott, the owner of Uncle Earl's, says Edwards and Gautreaux violated federal civil rights by ordering the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew beginning Aug. 16 for East Baton Rouge residents. The circumstances under whic
  
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• Salvation Army needs volunteers, donations for weekend operations

  19-08-2016 14:40
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Salvation Army says it will continue all operations in south Louisiana through the weekend for residents affected by the flood.Mobile feeding trucks will serve food and drinks as they reach out into the hardest impact areas, the organization says.The donation center located at 9401 Cortana Place in Baton Rouge will also be open Saturday 9 a.m. to noon and then 1 p.m to 4 p.m. It will also be open Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.The Salvation Army still needs the following
  
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• BRAC: nearly one third of homes in Baton Rouge area received flooding

  19-08-2016 13:50
  
  BATON ROUGE – In a preliminary analysis released Friday, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber reports that nearly one third of all homes in the Baton Rouge area received flood damage from this week’s historic flooding.BRAC released a preliminary analysis of the flood’s impact Friday. The organization used geographic data that outlined areas that were identified as affected by the flood within nine parishes. BRAC also used data from the Governor’s Office of Homelan
  
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• Ascension school officials hope for Wednesday re-opening

  19-08-2016 13:43
  
  DONALDSONVILLE - Some schools in Ascension Parish could open as early as Wednesday, the school system said Friday.All campuses will be closed to students on Monday and Tuesday but twelve month employees are asked to report to work.  Staff members will help work with administrators to get schools that are clear of issues ready for students.  All twelve month employees unable to report due to flooding are asked to contact their immediate supervisors, the district said."Although o
  
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• Bad weather's inevitable; bad theology isn't

  19-08-2016 13:05
  
  My aunt's house had flooded  again. I don't remember how many times family had driven out to her home, helped her pull up her carpets and mop her floors dry.  But we had made that trip quite a few times...
  
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• Family's survival story: Sought shelter from rising water in ceiling alcove

  19-08-2016 13:04
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS – For many following the recent flooding over the past week, the weekend will be back-breaking, but not for the tight-knit group on Bend Road in Denham Springs who is just lucky to be alive.The house, built in 1943, for decades stayed dry."We've had high water before.. as long as we had air we'd be okay," John Cooper Fore, Bend Road resident, said.Fore, his wife and 12-year-old son stayed at the home watching the water rise as the sever weather worsened."We walked around
  
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• LSU: So far rice farmers losses total about $14M

  19-08-2016 12:57
  
  BATON ROUGE - A university scientist says flooding has cost south Louisiana rice farmers an estimated $14 million in fields that were destroyed after being completely submerged.Dustin Harrell, Louisiana State University's rice specialist, tells The Advertiser that doesn't include yield or quality losses from rice that was damaged, but can still be harvested, nor does it include equipment and infrastructure losses.Harrell said in some ways the damage is worse than from previous
  
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• Chase donates $200k to flood efforts, waives fees through August

  19-08-2016 12:23
  
  BATON ROUGE- JP Morgan Chase & Co. will donate $200,000 to Louisiana flood relief efforts, the company announced Friday.In a statement released Friday morning, JP Morgan Chase said the grants will assist American Red Cross and United Way chapters in the region.“The flooding has had a heartbreaking impact on thousands of our customers, neighbors and employees in Louisiana,” Baton Rouge Market President Janet Olsen said. “Our support will help victims of the flood
  
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• St. Helena Hawk football team helps with flood recovery efforts

  19-08-2016 12:20
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS – The St. Helena Hawk football team spent the day gutting homes and carrying water-soaked furniture to the street following the recent flooding in the area. Many of the players have friends and family dealing with devastation, but on Friday the team made a choice to help others."To be honest with you, I thought maybe five or six guys would volunteer," Brandon Brown, St. Helena head football coach, said. "When I proposed the question, they said coach, 'We want to
  
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• Baton Rouge's summer of grief: Shootings, unrest, now floods

  19-08-2016 12:09
  
  BATON ROUGE - Victims of catastrophic floods in Louisiana's capital city say they've seen people pull together - white and black, officers and civilians - in ways that give hope amid a summertime string of tragedies.It's been a summer of pain in greater Baton Rouge, a city rocked by the July 7 killing of black man Alton Sterling at the hands of police - then the retaliatory slayings of three officers by a black gunman. After that came deadly floods that swamped thousands of homes and claimed mor
  
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• Sheriff shortens curfew for East Baton Rouge, midnight to 6 a.m.

  19-08-2016 08:03
  
  BATON ROUGE - Sheriff Sid Gautreaux announced Friday morning that he is shortening the curfew in East Baton Rouge.The curfew begins at midnight and ends at 6 a.m. It previously began at 10 p.m."While I feel a curfew is still needed to maintain the safety of residents and first responders and to provide security for devastated homes and businesses, I also want to accommodate the needs of our community by allowing them more time in which to conduct business," Gautreaux said. "The thousands of peop
  
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• Shoulder blocked on I-10 EB at I-110

  19-08-2016 07:52
  
  BATON ROUGE - Commuters may want to take an alternate route Friday morning due to a backup on I-10.The shoulder is blocked on I-10 eastbound at I-110. The delay of this accident has reached LA 1 and growing.News 2's Ashley Fruge is monitoring the roadways during Good Morning America. We will have updates on WBRZ.com and Twitter.Permalink| Comments
  
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• All lanes now open on I-10 East

  19-08-2016 07:52
  
  BATON ROUGE - All lanes are now open on I-10 East.All lanes were blocked Monday morning on I-10 East before the I-10/I-110 split due to an accident.HEAVY DELAYS EB OVER MS RIVER BRIDGE! Right and center lanes blocked at the split, and on the WB side left lane blocked.— WBRZ Traffic (@WBRZtraffic) August 19, 2016The delay from this accident is still six miles in length. It has reached LA 415 (Lobdell).We will have updates on WBRZ.com and Twitter.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 2 US swimmers leave Rio after robbery scandal; 3rd pays fine

  19-08-2016 07:39
  
  RIO DE JANEIRO - Two U.S. Olympic swimmers are back in the U.S. after being pulled off a plane in Brazil and questioned about claims that they had been robbed. Teammate Ryan Lochte had claimed that he, the two swimmers and another teammate had been robbed in a taxi in Rio, but authorities now say Lochte lied, and the four had actually vandalized a gas station bathroom. A lawyer says the fourth swimmer, still in Rio, has worked out a deal to donate nearly $11,000 and then he can return home.Perma
  
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• High water closed parts of Highland Road overnight

  19-08-2016 07:25
  
  BATON ROUGE - Highland Road closed in front of Highland Road Community Park late Thursday night.DOTD announced the low-lying area of Highland closed between Highland Oaks and Amiss Drive due to high water. It was unclear when the advisory was issued as to when the road could reopen.The closure is along a stretch of highway that runs near Bayou Fountain and three large ponds.Check back for updates.
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• Power being restored throughout south Louisiana

  19-08-2016 07:17
  
  BATON ROUGE - Crews with Entergy-Louisiana from four states are walking through neighborhoods across south Louisiana, inspecting electrical equipment and working to re-energize lines where it is safe to do so.As of 5 a.m. Friday, the number of customers without power due to flooding had dropped to just under 6,000 from Tuesday night's peak of more than 32,000 customers. The process of restoring power to the remaining customers will be a slow one, as customers who had received floodwaters in thei
  
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• Louisiana flooding: 10 things you need to know on Thursday night

  19-08-2016 03:30
  
  Another round of federal officials visited the sites of the Louisiana Flood of 2016 on Thursday (Aug. 18).
  
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• Louisiana flooding: 10 things you need to know Friday morning (Aug. 19)

  19-08-2016 03:30
  
  Another round of federal officials visited the sites of the Louisiana Flood of 2016 on Thursday (Aug. 18).
  
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• Louisiana flooding: 10 things you need to know

  19-08-2016 03:30
  
  Another round of federal officials visited the sites of the Louisiana Flood of 2016 on Thursday (Aug. 18).
  
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• Baton Rouge's summer of pain: Shootings, unrest, now floods

  19-08-2016 01:26
  
  Anger. Sorrow. Vengeful glee. Guilt. Terrence Carter has experienced it all during Baton Rouge's summer of pain.
  
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• In Louisiana flooding, river levels broke records -- and gauges

  19-08-2016 00:53
  
  One record had stood since 1953
  
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• John Bel Edwards: Now is not the best time for President Obama to visit

  19-08-2016 00:45
  
  "He is getting daily briefings on the situation here." - Jeh Johnson, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary
  
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