Louisiana Flooding Aug 2016

This is Humanity Road’s Situation Report No. 1 for the August flooding in Louisiana. It includes information on general background, emergency numbers and helplines, reunification sites, communications, and help for animals. It also includes sections for 5 parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St Helena, and Tangipahoa. The latter 4 have received federal disaster declarations. These sections contain information on shelters, needs, and social media links for each parish.

 

HumanityRoad-Sitrep1-LouisianaFloods-Aug152016.pdf

HumanityRoadSitrep2-LouisianaFloods-Aug162016.pdf

Humanity-Road-Situation-Report-3-Oct-8.pdf

HumanityRoad-Special-Report-LouisianaFloods-Aug172016.pdf

 

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Situation Report: Louisiana Flooding, August 2016

 

Situation Report – (period covered:  August 15-16, 2016)

Prepared by: Humanity Road / Animals in Disaster     Follow: @Humanityroad / @Disasteranimals / @jAIDDog 

Situation Overview

Background

Heavy rain beginning on August 11, 2016 has caused historic flooding in Louisiana, especially the Baton Rouge area.  At least 4 people have died, and about 1,000 National Guard troops are on the ground conducting rescues.  The governor has declared a state of emergency and has requested help from FEMA.  As of August 15, the hardest hit parishes of Tangipahoa, St. Helena, East Baton Rouge and Livingston have been granted an initial federal disaster declaration source.  About 10,000 people are in shelters, and 20,000 have been rescued source.  Hundreds of motorists were stranded on I-12 for over 24 hours, and food and water was air dropped to them on August 15.  The motorists have since been diverted off of I-12 which remains closed in some places.  Parts of I-10 are closed, and traffic is being diverted source.

20 parishes approved for Federal Disaster Declaration as of Aug 16: source.

  1. Acadia,  2. Ascension, 3. Avoyelles, 4. East Baton Rouge, 5. East Feliciana, 6. Evangeline, 7. Iberia, 8. Iberville, 9. Jefferson Davis, 10. Lafayette, 11. Livingston, 12. Pointe Coupee, 13. St Helena, 14. St Landry, 15. St Martin, 16. St Tammany, 17. Tangipahoa, 18. Vermillion, 19. Washington, 20. West Feliciana

Significant Updates (most recent first)

Aug 16:

  • 30,000 people and about 1,000 pets have been rescued from flooded homes and vehicles. Source
  • At least 11 people have died in the flooding. Source
  • Over 60,000 people in Louisiana have registered for FEMA aid. source
  • Water has overtopped a levee in Ascension Parish.  As many as 15,000 homes and businesses have already been flooded in the parish, mostly in Galvez and St. Amant. Source
  • At least 40,000 homes have been damaged. Source
  • 75 percent of the homes in Livingston Parish, which contains about 138,000 people, are a “total loss.” Source
  • “#CajunNavy says things are bad in Springfield, LA. Not much help in the area and people need hot food!” source
  • The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St Gabriel, Iberville Parish, is being evacuated due to concerns about potential flooding. Source
  • The governor has called for volunteers to help muck out homes.  Anyone wanting to volunteer should visit: VolunteerLouisiana.gov.  source

Aug 15:

  • The National Weather Service in New Orleans has extended the Flood Warning for Livingston Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, St. James Parish, Pointe Coupee Parish, Iberville Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish, and Ascension Parish in southeastern Louisiana until 4:00 PM CDT Monday.  Emergency management officials continued to report extensive flooding across the warned area. Some locations that will experience flooding include: Baton Rouge, Zachary, Baker, Denham Springs, Gonzales. Donaldsonville, Plaquemine, Port Allen, new roads. Krotz Springs, Melville, Oak Hills Place, St. Gabriel. Walker, Gramercy, Addis, Lutcher, Brusly. White Castle and Livingston. source
  • The American Red Cross has requested the activation of Louisiana ARES for assistance with about 40 shelters in the Livingston Parish and Baton Rouge areas.  All available Amateur Radio operators with portable equipment have been asked to meet at the Baton Rouge Red Cross Headquarters (4655 Sherwood Common Boulevard). Source
  • People wanting to volunteer should visit: Volunteer Louisiana: http://www.volunteerlouisiana.gov,  American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/local/louisiana/volunteer, or Louisiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters: http://lavoad.org.
  • A shelter for people with medical and special needs is open at the Carl Maddox Field House, LSU Campus, Baton Rouge, LA.  The shelter is designed for individuals who are homebound, chronically ill or who have disabilities and are in need of medical or nursing care, and have no other place to get care. source
  • Evacuees who lost medications can get an emergency 30 day supply. source

Use Right Click – to open links in a new window

 

 National and Regional Links

National Links:

FEMA

Phone number: 800-621-3362 (711/Video Relay Service)

TTY: 800-462-7585

Disaster Assistance

Active Twitter accounts: @fema@femaespanol@femaregion6

Active Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FEMA/

**If your parish is not currently included in the federal disaster declaration, you can still register with FEMA by phone: 1-800-621-3362.  Your parish may be declared later. source

State Links:

Louisiana State Government: Website @LouisianaGov

Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness: Website Facebook @GOHSEP

Road Status: 511.org

Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development: Website Facebook @LA_DOTD

National Weather Service River Forecast Center: Website
Parish Links: 
Website
Louisiana State Police  
Website   Facebook  @lastatepolice

Louisiana 211: Website 

City of Baton Rouge Map (roads closed, shelters, sandbags): Map

Baton Rouge Resources and Shelters: Website

Baton Rouge Police Dept: Facebook @BRPD

HelpLines, Reunification, Shelters

Emergencies / Rescue

Call 911 first.

If you cannot get through to 911 and need rescue:

  • (225) 222-4413 (press 0) – rescue in St. Helena Parish
  • (225) 686-3996 – Livingston Parish
  • (225) 367-1254 – Central, LA
  • (225) 389-5000, or private-message police Facebook –  Baton Rouge
  • (225) 389-2100 – East Baton Rouge
  • (225) 778-0300 – Baker, LA
  • (225) 621-8360 – Ascension Parish
  • (225) 686-3066 – Livingston Parish
  • Louisiana Flood Rescue – August / Urgent Rescue Form

Information, Help Lines

  • 225-342-7015 – call center for people needing help.
  • 225-772-1428 – patients who need dialysis
  • 225-578-6383 – evacuees who need to go to a medical / special needs shelter
  • 225-925-4594 – stranded motorists who need help.
  • 211 – anyone needing assistance (clothing, food, shelter, etc). Also see website.
  • *LSP (*577) – drivers who see damaged roads or hazardous conditions.
  • 800-360-9660 – Updates on state office closures
  • 985-748-3211 – Tangipahoa Parish EOC (assistance, road closures, damage assessments)
  • 1-866-927-2476 – Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry 24hr hotline open during disasters
  • 225-922-0444 or 225-922-0447 – find your vehicle if towed from I-12. source

Reunification (Missing People and Pets)

Shelters

Resources for Vulnerable Populations

Resources:

  • People with autism who need assistance: https://www.thepowerofonemarch.org/#/ 
  • Capital Area on Aging provides resource assistance to help find housing, transportation, insurance enrollment, medicines, and assistance for other vulnerable needs (Link)
  • Dialysis patients needing help, call 225-772-1428.
  • Officials with the East Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging is delivering meals to seniors who are unable to leave their homes. They are also delivering sandbags to seniors who are unable to leave their home. They are asking for volunteer help. The office is located at 5790 Florida Blvd. source

Special Needs Shelters:

  • Medical Special Needs Shelter, Carl Maddox Field House, LSU Campus, Baton Rouge, LA. (Call 225-578-6383 if you believe you are in need of a medical shelter).

Maps

City of Baton Rouge Map – published by City/Parish of Baton Rouge Department of Information Services listing roads closed, shelters (non-red cross – unverified), sandbags.

Entergy Power Outage Map (verified)

Red Cross Shelter Map (verified)

Google Crisis Map (verified)

NOAA Forecast Flood Map (verified)

FEMA Louisiana Flood Zones (verified)

Louisiana DOTD Flood Map (verified) – Interactive map to help determine flood zones.

Louisiana DOTD 511 Travel Map (verifeid) – Closures, Alerts, Detours.

HeroFarm Donations Map (verified) – Private Marketing & PR firm in New Orleans. Lists sites accepting donations and urgent needs.

Open Pharmacies Map (verified) – Rx Open – find nearby open pharmacies in an area impacted by disaster. Using Google Maps, Rx Open displays open pharmacies, closed pharmacies, and those whose status is unknown.

The following maps are unverified information and published in conjunction with the Louisiana Flood Rescue – August 2016 Public Group and the LA Flood Boat Launch Sites – August 2016 Public Group 

– South Louisiana Stranded Map (unverified source)

– South Louisiana Flood Boat Launch Sites (unverified source)

Parish Links and Summaries (12 parishes)

Acadia Parish

General Situation:

  • Aug 16: Water in some areas of the parish continue to rise as the Mermentau River has not yet reached its crest. Water is being pushed back into the various communities. Vehicles riding through these area are forcing water back into homes causing more damage. source
  • Added to federal disaster declaration list. source
  • Schools closed for the rest of the week. Source
  • Road closures. Source
  • Curfew from 8pm-5am, Aug 16 in the unincorporated areas of the parish. source

Helplines:

  • Damage assessment helpline: 337-788-8800 or email source
  • Office of Emergency Preparedness contact information: 337-783-HELP

Social Media and Government Links:

Shelters: (as of Aug 16, 2:00pm)

  • Rice Festival Building, 717 West Mill Street, Crowley, LA source
  • Church Point Community Center, 104 East Darbonne, Church Point, LA source

Photos / Videos:

Ascension Parish

General Situation: 

  • Aug 16:  Added to federal disaster declaration list. Source
  • Aug 16: Ascension Parish was one of those hit especially hard. Nearly a third of all the homes in the parish are flooded due to overtopping of a levee along the Amite River.  Parish officials estimate that as many as 15,000 homes and businesses have already been flooded, mostly in Galvez and St. Amant. Source
  • Aug 15: The situation in Ascension Parish worsened overnight as the Amite River began to crest. Officials say some areas will get worse before they get better.  These areas include St. Amant, Galvez, the lake area, Henderson Bayou, Alligator Bayou, Bridge Area, Gonzales.  Many roadways in those areas are now closed.  Areas north of Hwy 42 and east of 431 are expected to experience significant flooding. The area between Port Vincent and Gold Place Road is impacted now and will get worse over the next 24 hours. Hwy 42 and the lake area is seeing an impact now and will also worsen over the next 24 hours. South of Gold Place and East of Hwy 431 will be impacted depending on the elevations from the Amite River.  Stringer Bridge Road to Hwy 22 is the next area that we expect to be impacted within the next 24-hours.  A voluntary evacuation has been issued for areas north of LA 42 and east of LA 431 because they are low-lying areas. source
  • Schools in the parish are closed for the rest of the week. source

Shelters:  As of Aug 16, 2:00 pm

  • Lamar Dixon Expo Center, 9039 St. Landry Road, Gonzales, LA  (currently has about 600 people but can take more).  They are housing animals in the arena area for residents staying in the Shelter. They are also taking stray animals in Barn 1. source

Urgent Needs:

  • Aug 16: There is still a need at Lamar Dixon for volunteers as well as pillows, blankets, towels, clothes, underwear (new in package), Ziplock bags. source
  • Aug 15: The Lamar Dixon shelter is in need of:  socks, aloe lotion, baby items, dog food, horse food, ropes and buckets for horses, and volunteers. source

Social Media and Government Web Links:

Photos / Videos:

  • Videos of flooding in Ascension Parish: source
  • Aerial photos: source

East Baton Rouge Parish

General Situation: 

  • Aug 16: Aug 16: AT&T phone system, which was down in Baton Rouge due to flooding, is almost back, using a temporary route via N.O. & portable cell towers. source
  • Aug 15:  Flooding is extensive, over 90 roadways or intersections are closed and two mega shelters have been opened.  Baton Rouge has an informative map online listing shelter locations, sandbag locations and road closures.  Shelter location and road closure updates can also be found at Baton Rouge Government website 
  • Aug 15:  A hospital in Baton Rouge – Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge’s O’Neal campus – has evacuated about 40 patients and is expected to evacuate another 10-15. source
  • Aug 15: Curfew in effect 8p – 6a for City of Baker

Curfew in effect 8p – 6a for City of Central

Curfew in effect 10p – 6a for City of Zachary

Photos & Videos:

  • Aug 15: Aerial video of flooding Video
  • Aug 15: Medicine delivery Video

Urgent Needs:

  • Aug 16: BR River Center shelter needs pillows, blankets, new children’s clothing, new socks/underwear. source
  • Aug 15: Today’s donation list and where to take them Link
  • Aug 15: Officials with the East Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging is delivering meals to seniors who are unable to leave their homes. They are also delivering sandbags to seniors who are unable to leave their home. They are asking for volunteer help. The office is located at 5790 Florida Blvd. source

Shelters:  (as of Aug 16, 2:00pm)  source

  • Medical Special Needs Shelter, Carl Maddox Field House, LSU Campus, Baton Rouge, LA. (Call (225) 578-6383 if you believe you are in need of a medical shelter).
  • Baton Rouge River Center, 75 S River Road, Baton Rouge, LA – not accepting pets. Anyone with pets should go to Celtic Studios or the animal shelter at EBR Animal Control  Source
  • Celtic Studios 10000 Celtics Drive Baton Rouge, LA. (Population – approx 2,000 – Today’s essentials – Cots needed some enroute, also need more restrooms and showers, volunteers. (Source) Celtic Studios is located off Airline on Celtic Drive, next to the Costco. In need of Wheelchairs, tape http://bit.ly/2aUGxQU)
  • Gus Young Baton Rouge Rec Center, 4201 Gus Young Ave, Baton Rouge, LA source
  • F.G. Clark Activity Center 801 Harding Blvd Baton Rouge, LA
  • First Baptist Church of Central 9676 Sullivan Road, Baton Rouge, LA
  • Slaughter Baptist Church, 3227 Church St, Slaughter, LA source
  • First Baptist Church, 4200 Main St, Zachary, LA source

Animal Shelters

  • Companion Animal Alliance, Baton Rouge’s city animal shelter.

Needs: Foster homes to house pets temporarily, large bath towels, paper towels, water and food for volunteers and staff. Source

Social Media and Government Web Links:

East Feliciana Parish

General Situation:

  • Aug 16:  List of closed bridges. Source
  • Aug 16: MREs and water can be picked up from 12pm-2pm and 4pm-6pm at:
  • Old Clinton Fire Department, 12305 Jackson St., Clinton (Clinton residents)
  • Early Learning Center, 9414 Plank Rd, Clinton (non-Clinton residents) source
  • Aug 16: all parish schools closed until further notice. source
  • Aug 16: road closures. source

Social Media and Government Links:

Helplines:

  • Emergency Operations Center: 225-683-1014, 225-683-3019 source

Shelters:  (as of Aug 16, 2:00pm)  source

  • Slaughter First Baptist Church, 3227 Church Street, Slaughter, LA

Iberia Parish

General Situation:

  • Aug 16:  Public schools will open on Aug 17. source
  • Aug 16: Public Library – Coteau Branch will remain closed until Wednesday due to water damage in the Park. All other branches are open for business. source

Urgent Needs:

  • United Way of Iberia, Inc. – List of Donations needed source
  • The Iberia Parish 4-H program is conducting a flood relief drive for those who are displaced from the recent storm. Donations can be brought to the 4-H Office (list of items in source). source

Social Media and Government Links:

  • Iberia Parish Government: website

Shelters:  (as of Aug 16, 2:00pm)  source

  • Cyr-Gates Community Center, 300 Parkview Drive, New Iberia, LA

Lafayette Parish

General Situation:

  • Aug 16: An estimated 1500 to 2000 structures flooded. source
  • Aug 16: Flood Warning Issued (Google Alert Original Source)
  • Aug 16: Added to FEMA disaster declaration.
  • Aug 16: The city of Crowley remains in search and recovery mode. Source
  • Aug 16: Westside Elementary School was flooded and is currently cleaning up. source
  • Aug 16: Public Schools will reopen Monday, August 22. Additional school openings are included in source. Source
  • Aug 16: Bridge in Maurice at the LaFayette-Vermillion Parish is open. Source
  • Verizon is encouraging people to use text messages instead of calls unless there is an emergency. Source
  • Aug 16: City of Youngsville has issued a BOIL Advisory. Source
  • Aug 16: Call Lafayette Utilities System 337-291-9200 for power outage assistance. Source
  • Aug 16: Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center (LA BEOC) has been activated. It connects those who need resources with Louisiana resource providers during response and recovery from an emergency or disaster event. LA BEOC is open to any Louisiana business or organization, and there is no cost to join. Source
  • Aug 16: Road Closure Information Source
  • Aug 16: Lafayette Airport is open. Source
  • Aug 16: Report damage to Lafayette Consolidated Government: call 337-291-5060 or email Source
  • Aug 16: Additional information on donations, shelters, and flooding assistance. Source

Social Media and Government Links:

Shelters:

  • Heymann Center – 1373 S. College Road, Lafayette, LA (Lafayette Heymann Center Shelter Roster (information is given to Red Cross for missing person matching)
  • Outreach Center’s Lighthouse (Women or Women with children) – Call (337) 289-9141
  • Unity Events Center –  211 J.B. Road in Scott, LA

Photos / Videos:

  • Aug 16: Video from Crowley. source
  • Aug 16: LDS Stake Center submerged. source
  • Aug 15: Aerial photos from Lafayette Parish. Source
  • Aug 14: Drone footage from Lafayette Parish. source

Where to Donate:

  • Water & Non-Clothing Donations: United Way of Acadiana, 215 E. Pinhook Rd. in Lafayette from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT daily (List of Supplies & Financial Donations)
  • Clothing Donations: Goodwill Industries of Arcadiana 2435 W Congress St, Lafayette, LA 70506
  • Canned Goods Donations: FoodNet Food Bank ~ 217 Surrey St., Lafayette, LA (Source)
  • Furniture: SOFA – Service, Outreach, Furniture, Acadiana (SOFA) ~ Call 337-451-0226 (Source)

Livingston Parish

General Situation: 

  • Aug 16:  75 percent of the homes in Livingston Parish, which contains about 138,000 people, are a “total loss.” Source
  • “#CajunNavy says things are bad in Springfield, LA. Not much help in the area and people need hot food!” source
  • Aug 15: Extensive Flooding, Evacuations occurred. Source
  • Aug 15: At least 15,000 people have been rescued. Source
  • Aug 15: There is a precautionary Boiling Water Advisory for Ward 2 Water district. Source
  • Livingston Parish News is providing updates on Shelters, Traffic Maps, and other info. Source 
  • Aug 15: Government offices are closed August 15 and August 16. Source
  • Aug 15: Traffic is closed to non-emergency traffic. Source

Social Media and Government Links:

                

Photos / Videos:

  • Denham Springs Aerial – Video

Shelters:  (as of Aug 16, 2:00pm) source

  • Riverside Baptist 36890 LA 16, Denham Springs, LA
  • Live Oak Baptist 35603 Coxe Ave, Denham Springs, LA
  • North Park Recreational Center, 30372 Eden Church Rd, Denham Springs, LA
  • South Fork Elementary 23300 Walker South Road, Denham Springs, LA
  • Watson Baptist 35831 Cane Market Road, Denham Springs, LA
  • Christ Community Church 26574 Juban Road, Denham Springs, LA
  • Bethel Baptist Church 2149 Circle Drive, Livingston, LA
  • Satsuma Baptist 29880 S Satsuma Road, Livingston, LA
  • Satsuma Community Center 28975 S Satsuma Road, Livingston, LA
  • Colyell Baptist 19525 LA 42, Livingston, LA
  • Doyle High School 20480 Circle Drive, Livingston, LA
  • Judson Baptist 32470 N Walker Road, Walker, LA (Shelter Roster – information to be given to Red Cross for missing person matching)
  • North Corbin Elementary 32645 North Corbin Road, Walker, LA
  • North Corbin Junior High 32725 North Corbin Road, Walker, LA
  • Walker Baptist Church 10696 Florida Blvd, Walker, LA
  • Levi Milton Elementary School, 31450 N Walker, Walker, LA
  • Life Church 9010 Florida Blvd, Walker, LA
  • Shady Bower Pentecostal 13375 Galloway Garden Lane, Walker, LA
  • Walker Baptist Church 10696 Florida Blvd, Walker, LA
  • Club Outreach, 30277 Sunset Dr, Walker, LA source

Pointe Coupee Parish

General Situation:

  • Aug 16: About 100 people in Pointe Coupee had been displaced from their homes due to flooding. Source
  • Aug 16: About 250 homes have been flooded. Source
  • Aug 16:  All roads in the parish are open. Source
  • Aug 15: False River residents are seeing flooding near their homes. According to the Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s Office, Lighthouse Canal has crested, and Bayou Sere is flowing out and the water level will continue to rise. source

Social Media and Government Links:

Shelters:  (as of Aug 16, 2:00pm) source

  • Scott Civic Center, 1200 Marjor Pkwy, New Roads, LA

St Helena Parish

General Situation: 

  • Aug 15 About 170 high water vehicles were mobilized as heavy flooding continued in St. Helena (source) Residents are asked to send pictures of damaged homes to an email address posted to facebook at this link
  • Aug 13 One person was found deceased in truck in parish (source)  
  • Email Address To Send Pictures Of Damaged Homes In St. Helena Parish Is source
    • Red Cross: St. Helena High School – 14340 Highway 37, Greensburg

    Social Media and Government Web Links:

St Landry Parish

General Situation:

  • Aug 16:  Public schools closed through Aug 17. Source
  • Aug 16: Road status. Source
  • Aug 16: People with damage should call the St. Landry Parish Government at (337) 948-3688. source

Social Media and Government Links:

  • St Landry Parish Government: website  Facebook
  • Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness: Facebook

Shelters:  (as of Aug 16, 2:00pm)  source

  • Opelousas Civic Center, 1638 Creswell Lane Ext, Opelousas, LA

Tangipahoa Parish

General Situation:

  • Aug 16: An estimated 53,138 homes damaged. source
  • Aug 15: Tangipahoa Parish is eligible for assistance from FEMA as of Aug 14 source.
  • Aug 15: Road closures: List
  • Aug 15: Tangipahoa school district is closed until next Monday the 22nd. Source
  • Aug 15: Residents and businesses advised to boil water. Source
  • Aug 15: Two people have died in the parish. Source

Helplines:

  • 985-748-3211 – Parish EOC (assistance, road closures, damage assessments)

Social Media and Government Links:

Shelters:  (as of Aug 16, 2:00pm) source

  • Mike Kenny Center – 601 W. Coleman, Hammond, LA
  • Amite Community Center – 101 W. Chestnut, Amite, LA

Urgent Needs:

  • Tangi Humane Society, 46219 River Rd, Hammond, LA was flooded and all animals had to be evacuated.  They need cleaning supplies, temporary storage, and volunteers. source 

Vermillion Parish

General Situation:

  • Aug 16:  The mandatory curfew, which remains in place in Vermilion Parish will begin at 8 p.m. tonight and end at 5 a.m. tomorrow.  source
  • Aug 16:  Public schools closed until Aug 22. Source
  • Aug 16:  The Vermilion River has begun to recede slowly, however most of the parish and city roads around the river remain impassable with high water. source
  • Aug 15:  as of mid-day on Aug 15, the National Guard, Sheriff’s Office, other first responder agencies and volunteers completed over 800 rescue missions with over 400 homes reporting flooding. source

Social Media and Government Links:

  • Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness: Facebook
  • Vermillion Parish Police Jury: website

Shelters:  (as of Aug 16, 2:00pm)  source

  • AA Comeaux Rec Center – Boys and Girls Club, 300 A.A. Comeaux Memorial Drive, Abbeville, LA

Airports

Flights and Airport Status:  No reported delays or closures.

  • BTR – Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Airport- Status Open
  • ARA – Iberia Parish Acadiana Regional Airport   – Status Open 
  • Delta Airlines – what passengers should know about rebooking travel Link

Communications

Amateur Radio

Louisiana Section Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) has activated and put out a call for volunteers.  The American Red Cross has requested the activation of Louisiana ARES for assistance with shelters in the Livingston Parish and Baton Rouge areas.  Approximately 40 shelters need coverage. All available Amateur Radio operators with portable equipment have been asked to meet at the Baton Rouge Red Cross Headquarters (4655 Sherwood Common Boulevard). Volunteers are being told to prepare for several days of operations. Again, willing Amateur volunteers should NOT self-deploy. The primary contact is Steve Irving, WA5FKF, (225-933-4993). Louisiana ARES Assistant SEC John Mark Robertson, K5JMR, is in the radio room at Red Cross Headquarters in Baton Rouge.

Primary operating frequencies at this time are 444.950 MHz (107.2 Hz), 146.940 MHz (107.2 Hz), and 146.790 MHz (107.2 Hz). Louisiana ARES HF Frequencies now designated for use are 7.255 MHz and 3.873 MHz LSB. Digital operation is on 3.595MHz. These frequencies should be kept clear of non-emergency traffic. More repeaters may need to be designated, and the frequencies will be posted when they become available.  source

Other Information

  • Aug 16: AT&T phone system, which was down in Baton Rouge due to flooding, is almost back, using a temporary route via N.O. & portable cell towers. source
  • Some Verizon stores are offering free calls, free internet access, and charging stations for anyone even if not a Verizon customer. Source
  • Baton Rouge – 3131 College Dr; hours 10 am – 8 pm
  • Baton Rouge – 7415 Corporate Blvd; hours 10 am – 8 pm
  • New Iberia – 1104-E East Main St; hours 10 am – 7 pm
  • Lafayette – 3201 Louisiana Ave; hours 10 am – 7 pm

Red Cross

Offices & Contact Information

Louisiana Region 

Local Chapters

@RedCrossSELA @LARedCross1 Facebook

Twitter

Hashtags:

Official event hashtag:  #laflood

Other important hashtags: #lawx, #lafloods, #lagov, #BatonRougeFlood, #LAFloodRescue  Parish or Town Names

Other hashtags:  #lafloodrescue #CajunNavy #CajunArmy

Animals in Disaster

Animal Rescue

Urgent Needs

  • Aug 16:  Louisiana Bobcat Refuge, Eunice, LA was flooded and needs donations. Source
  • Aug 16:  Denham Springs Animal Shelter was flooded and has needs. Source
  • Aug 16:  Companion Animal Alliance, 2680 Progress Road, Baton Rouge took in 90 displaced animals and has needs. Source
  • Aug 16: Lamar Dixon Expo Center shelter in Gonzales has taken in many animals and needs donations. Source
  • Zeus’ Place, 4601 Freret St, New Orleans has taken in over 60 displaced pets and needs help. Source
  • Aug 15: Tangi Humane Society, 46219 River Rd, Hammond, LA was flooded and all animals had to be evacuated.  They need cleaning supplies, temporary storage, and volunteers. source

Lost and Found:

Shelters:

Aug 15:

Horse owners:

  • Check your surrounding arenas for assistance.
  • Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales has space for horses needing to be evacuated. Go to the office.  If it’s locked there is a number posted to the door to call.  $25.00 a day per stall, $7.00 shavings.  Costs of stalls and shavings may be covered due to declared emergency.  Phone number to Lamar Dixion (225) 621-1700.  All are allowed just no outside shavings. source
  • Port Allen is almost full. source
  • Amite is under water and Hwy 16 is closed. source
  • Colonial Stables has 12 open stalls do not have details here’s contact 225-268-7998. source                                                                                                 

           

Other Resources

How to Volunteer:

  • Aug 16: How to register to be a medical or shelter volunteer – Instructions

Facebook Community Help Groups:

State Government Resources:

  • The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is encouraging those affected by the flooding to pre-register for benefits under the Disaster Supplemental Assistance Program (DSNAP).  To pre-register for benefits, click here. Residents can also pre-register by phone beginning August 16 at 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. source
  • Capital Area Human Services Offices to Open Wednesday – source

Resource Lists:

  • KATC.com – Where to get help. source

Legal Resources:

  • SOLACE Support for Those Affected by Flooding.  source
  • SOLACE is accepting assistance requests for non-monetary needs from those affected by the severe weather. If you or someone you know needs assistance, forward your request to SOLACE at solaceinfo@lasolace.org. Please include an email address that protects the sender’s identity.
  • Emergency Suspension of Deadlines in Legal, Administrative and Regulatory Proceedings
  • Governor John Bel Edwards has signed an executive order for the emergency suspension of deadlines in legal, administrative and regulatory proceedings. Review the executive order here. 

 

Volunteers Reporting

Skye, Alice, Najeeb, Eleanora, Cat, Cindy, Aline, Joshua, Serena, Damon, Lloyd, Susan, Chris