Three dead, 7,000 rescued from Louisiana flooding

[jpak]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/08/14/three-dead-7000-rescued-louisiana-flooding/88717370/

LAFAYETTE, La. — Rescue efforts intensified Sunday as a break in the weather allowed State Police helicopters to drop food and water to more than 1,000 motorists stuck in floodwaters on Interstate 12 near Baton Rouge.

More than 7,000 people and 500 pets have been rescued from the waters sweeping across much of southeastern Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards said. He said the death toll from flooding remained at three, with one person missing.

"We are not in control as far as how fast these floodwaters will recede, and in fact they are still going up in some places," Edwards said at a news conference Sunday. "We are asking everyone to be patient."

Edwards said he had sought a federal disaster declaration to expedite assistance.

<more>

[benld74]

1. Prayers to those affected