GONZALES: The death toll from historic flooding in Louisiana climbed to eight on Tuesday, as the expanding flood zone prompted authorities to declare disasters in 20 parishes of the southeastern US state.
While flooding receded in parts of southern Louisiana, other areas saw rising waters. The National Weather Service issued renewed flood warnings.
“We’re seeing unprecedented flood levels as the waters move south,” Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said at a news conference.
Officials said 40,000 homes have been impacted by the floods and more than 8,000 people were in shelters.
More than 20,000 have been rescued or evacuated, they said.
Twenty parishes — similar to counties in other states — were declared emergency disaster areas, up from four on Monday and 12 earlier on Tuesday.
