Forced Evacuation in Louisiana; Cities Submerged in Flood After 4 Days of Rain

Mar 12, 2016 09:00 AM EST

(Photo : Reuters) Flood waters from the Red River engulf houses in the River Bluff subdivision in Bossier City, Louisiana June 8, 2015. The Red River flooded in northwest Louisiana this week, affecting hundreds of structures and displacing scores of people. The flood, however, slowly began to recede on Wednesday, but is expected to persist for several more days.

Louisiana has been lashed with torrential rains for four days now. The downpour is making roads impossible to use as cars get submerged in flood water. As a result, people are being forced to leave their homes and evacuate to safer places.

In Bossier City, compulsory evacuation is being conducted by the local government to save residents from possible harm. Big trucks are being used to cruise through the high flood waters. At least three people have been reported dead due to the flooding.

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Residents of the Pecan Valley Estates described the flooding as akin to a horror movie. Witnesses have recounted how the water slowly filled the roads and pavements up unil it started creeping up their door steps. One home owner in the area reportedly refused evacuation despite walking around his house waist-deep in water and spotting an alligator swimming in the area. He said he was worried about being robbed by looters who would take advantage of such situation.

By Thursday and Friday, the rain had also affected Southeast Louisina. Police Officer Daniel Edwards has revealed that almost 400 residents were left with no choice but to leave their homes and evacuate to safety. He also disclosed that almost 50 roads have already been shut down in the area.

East Louisiana is no exception. Officials from St. Tammany Parish reported that three rivers are about to reach their yet highest recorded water levels and the rising of water is not subsiding. People in the area have been encouraged to start evacuating before the flooding intensifies.

National Weather Service officer Frank Rivette claims that the large amount of water affecting Louisiana has been further fed by the moisture that formed in the Gulf of Mexico. This resulted in 15 to 20 inches of rain water in the northern part of the state on Tuesday night, and 10 to 15 inches over the south by Friday.

Rivette adds that sunshine should be expected on Sunday. He noted that the land will dry faster in the south than in the north due to South Louisiana's saturated grounds.

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