2016 Louisiana floods
The 20 Louisiana parishes that were designated as federal disaster areas by FEMA in the aftermath of the floods.
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| Date | August 12, 2016-August 22, 2016 |
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| Location | Most of southern Louisiana, United States |
| Deaths | 13 |
In August 2016, prolonged rainfall in southern parts of the U.S. state of Louisiana resulted in catastrophic flooding that submerged thousands of houses and businesses. Louisiana's governor, John Bel Edwards, called the disaster a "historic, unprecedented flooding event" and declared a state of emergency. Many rivers and waterways, particularly the Amite and Comite rivers, reached record levels, and rainfall exceeded 20 inches (510 mm) in multiple parishes.
Because of the large number of homeowners without flood insurance that were affected, the federal government is providing disaster aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The flood has been called the worst US natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. 13 deaths have been reported as a result of the flooding.
Contents
Meteorological history[edit]
Early on August 11, a mesoscale convective system flared up in southern Louisiana around a weak area of low pressure that was situated next to an outflow boundary. It remained nearly stationary, and as a result, torrential downpours occurred in the areas surrounding Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Rainfall rates of up to 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) an hour were reported in the most deluged areas. Totals exceeded nearly 2 feet (61 cm) in some areas as a result of the system remaining stationary.[1] Accumulations peaked at 31.39 inches (797 mm) in Watson, just northeast of Baton Rouge.[2]
The Washington Post noted that the "no-name storm" dumped three times as much rain on Louisiana as Hurricane Katrina. It dropped the equivalent of 7.1 trillion gallons of water or enough to fill Lake Pontchartrain about four times. Hurricane Katrina, by comparison, dumped about 2.3 trillion gallons of rainwater in the state (though more in other states). The flood also dumped more water than Hurricane Isaac. According to the National Weather Service Hydrometeorological Design Studies Center, the amount of rainfall in the hardest-hit locations had a less than 0.1 percent chance of happening or was a (less than) 1-in-1,000-year event.[3]
Flooding[edit]
Flooding began in earnest on August 12. On August 13, a flash flood emergency was issued for areas along the Amite and Comite rivers.[4] By August 15, more than ten rivers (Amite, Vermilion, Calcasieu, Comite, Mermentau, Pearl, Tangipahoa, Tchefuncte, Tickfaw, and Bogue Chitto) had reached a moderate, major, or record flood stage. Eight rivers reached record levels including the Amite and Comite rivers.[5] The Amite River crested at nearly 5 ft (1.5 m) above the previous record in Denham Springs.[6] Nearly one-third of all homes—approximately 15,000 structures—in Ascension Parish were flooded after a levee along the Amite River was overtopped.[7] Water levels began to slowly recede by August 15, though large swaths of land remained submerged.[8] Livingston Parish was one the hardest hit areas; an official estimated that 75 percent of the homes in the parish were a "total loss".[9] It was thought over 146,000 homes were damaged in Louisiana.[10][11] This mass flooding also damaged thousands of businesses.[12][13]
Thirteen people have been confirmed dead as a consequence of the flooding.[14] Confirmed reports include three in East Baton Rouge Parish, and two each in Tangipahoa and St. Helena parishes.[15]
Evacuations and rescues[edit]
The widespread flooding stranded tens of thousands of people in their homes and vehicles. At least 30,000 people were evacuated by local law enforcement, firefighters, the Louisiana National Guard, the Coast Guard and fellow residents, from submerged vehicles and flooded homes.[16] Many boat-owning residents of Louisiana and Mississippi, together with other volunteers, formed an informal rescue service known as the Cajun Navy and navigated through flooded areas to answer calls for help that they received via social media. They rescued as many as a thousand people and pets and distributed emergency supplies.[17][18][19][20] A group of 70 volunteers from St. Bernard Parish conducted hundreds of boat rescues in East Baton Rouge Parish.[8] By August 15, approximately 11,000 people sought refuge in 70 shelters.[15] Flash flooding swamped a 7-mile (11 km) section of Interstate 12 between Tangipahoa Parish and Baton Rouge, stranding 125 vehicles. At one point, an approximately 62-mile stretch was closed because of flooding concerns. State police and the National Guard utilized high-water vehicles to rescue trapped motorists, but many remained stuck for over 24 hours.[4] A cellular network outage complicated rescues over the affected area.[15] On August 12, a state of emergency was activated for the whole of Louisiana.[21]
Aftermath[edit]
With an estimated 146,000[22] homes damaged in the flooding—characterized as the worst US natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012[23][24]—thousands of Louisianians were forced into shelters, with more than 11,000 in state-operated shelters.[25] This prompted an estimated 1,500 American Red Cross volunteers to travel to Louisiana, along with other groups to send volunteers such as Louisiana State University, the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Celebration Church and the Church of Scientology.[26] There were media reports of one man who cooked 108 pounds (49 kg) of brisket for displaced people.[25] The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals attempted to rescue stray pets, and the Second Harvest Food Bank and the United Way of Southeast Louisiana sent supplies and food.[27] More than 100,000 individuals and households have registered for FEMA assistance. FEMA has approved $132 million for assistance. [28]
In addition, singer Taylor Swift donated $1 million to Louisiana's relief fund.[29] Another singer, Lady Gaga, donated an unspecified amount of money.[30] On August 13, the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters was activated by the USGS, allowing for the humanitarian redeployment of satellite assets by the international community.[31] AT&T donated US$100,000 to be split between the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and DonorsChoose.org for flood relief.[32] On September 5th, Randy Jackson and Harry Connick Jr. will host a benefit concert at the Baton Rouge River Center Theatre featuring over a dozen artists; all proceeds will go to the American Red Cross Louisiana Flood Relief fund. [33]
Impact on school system[edit]
Since the start of the floods, around 265,000 children have been out of school, nearly 30% of the school-aged population in the Louisiana.[34] The initiation of the school year has been difficult due to the direct damage many schools received, the damage of many teachers' homes, and the large amount of students in between homes after being displaced by the floods.[35]
There were reports that 6 schools were heavily flooded in East Baton Rouge Parish with another 15 in Livingston Parish.[36][37] Livingston Parish's Superintendent, Rick Wentzel, believes that their school system is in a similar position compared to the Northshore following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and he held a meeting with the school district to discuss possible options.[38] For the entire state, superintendent John White said that at least 22 schools had heavy damage and will need time to recover.[39] There were also many school closures due to flooding in the Lafayette area as well. [40] Transportation will also pose a challenge, as many kids were displaced from their homes and many school buses were damaged from flood water.[35]
Many teachers' homes flooded, with 4,000 staff members' homes in Baker sustaining damage and another 2,000 in East Baton Rouge Parish.[35] Livingston Parish conducted a teacher survey August 23–24 and a parent survey August 25 to assess how those are affected and is expected to make a return to school date later this week along with any temporary school plans. Though many schools in surrounding parishes are closed indefinitely, East Baton Rouge Parish schools announced they won't open back up until September 6th, 25 days after school was originally canceled for the floods on August 12, the third day of school.[41]
Economic impact[edit]
Because many of the areas that flooded were not in "high flood risk areas", the majority of homeowners affected by the flood did not have flood insurance. Across Louisiana, about 21% of all structures have coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program. Despite this, in many parishes that percentage is much lower. In St. Helena Parish, which was among the hardest hit parishes by the floods, less than 1% of all homeowners had flood insurance.[42][43]
FEMA, which has stepped in to help homeowners without flood insurance, has declared these 20 parishes as federal disaster areas: Acadia, Ascension, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington, and West Feliciana.[44] Homeowners with damage from the floods in those parishes are eligible for up to $33,000 in federal disaster aid and so far around 102,000 people have applied for help.[45][46][47] For business continuity and community rebuilding, private mobile flood recovery centers have also been made available, including a 10-piece modular building complex used in Baton Rouge by FEMA as a portable school for children of displaced families who moved north from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.[48][49]
National response[edit]
The national media has been criticized by many leaders in Louisiana for lack of media coverage of the floods, especially compared to other major natural disasters.[50] This seems to have happened because of the heavy coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2016 U.S. presidential election, along with the fact that the storm did not have a name since it was not a tropical storm. The Times-Picayune expressed their frustrations in an article and noted that CNN and The New York Times had not covered the floods until late Sunday August 14, despite widespread flooding starting on August 12.[51][52]
During the floods, President Barack Obama was on vacation at Martha's Vineyard. On August 18, an editorial in The Advocate criticized the president for not coming to Louisiana during the crisis.[53] However, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards defended the president's handling of the emergency, saying that he had been talking to him daily and that a visit by the president would require road closures for his motorcade and distract first responders when rescues are still underway.[54] On August 23, 2016, Obama visited the Baton Rouge area and made a speech, along with meeting residents affected by the floods. In his speech he said that the floods were not a photo op issue and that "after the TV cameras leave, the whole country is going to continue to support" the Louisiana.[10][55] During his visit he also took the time to visit the family of Alton Sterling and the families of the slain police officers who were killed in a shooting earlier in the summer following unrest in Baton Rouge.[56]
Initially, presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump also faced criticism for paying little to no attention to the floods.[50] On social media, Clinton urged her followers to donate to the Red Cross and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.[57] On August 19, 2016, Trump and his running mate Mike Pence toured the flooded areas. Trump visited affected families in St. Amant, a community southeast of Baton Rouge, and handed supplies from an 18-wheeler truck from a local church.[58][59][60]
References[edit]
- ^ "WPC Surface Analysis North America". National Weather Service. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ Pam Wright (August 15, 2016). "Louisiana Flood By the Numbers: Tens of Thousands Impacted". The Weather Channel. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ Jason Samenow (August 19, 2016). "No-name storm dumped three times as much rain in Louisiana as Hurricane Katrina". Washington Post. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ a b "Nearly 24 hours later, motorists still stranded on I-12". WWL-TV. Tenga. August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ "AIR Worldwide: Louisiana's Record Rainfall Caused by Low-Pressure System". Insurance Journal. August 16, 2016.
- ^ Emamdjomeh, Armand; Krishnakumar, Priya. "A before-and-after look at the deadly, record-setting flooding in Louisiana". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Death Toll Rises to 7 in Historic Louisiana Flooding; 20,000 Rescued". Weather Channel. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ a b Michale Kunzelman and Melinda Deslatte (August 15, 2016). "Thousands Hunker Down After Louisiana Floods; 6 Killed". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ Michael Kunzelman (August 16, 2016). "Louisiana governor: 40K homes damaged by historic flooding". Yahoo! News. AP. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ a b McWhirter, Cameron; Nelson, Colleen McCain. "Obama Promises Louisiana Flood Victims National Support During Visit". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ Broach, Drew. "How many houses, people flooded in Louisiana?". Nola.com. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ Robertson, Campbell. "Thousands Displaced in Storm-Drenched Louisiana". New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ ELIZABETH, CRISP; GALLO, ANDREA. "At one-week mark, Louisiana floods are worst disaster since Hurricane Sandy, Red Cross says". The Advocate. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ Robertson, Campbell (August 16, 2016). "As Louisiana Floodwaters Recede, the Scope of Disaster Comes Into View". New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ a b c Christine Hauser (August 15, 2016). "Louisiana Floods Lead to 7 Deaths". The New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ Yan, Holly (2016-08-22). "Louisiana's mammoth flooding: By the numbers". CNN.com. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ Brandon, Kayla (August 18, 2016). "The Man Behind the 'Cajun Navy' Speaks Out About Saving Thousands in Louisiana Floods". Independent Journalist.
- ^ Visser, Steve; Jackson, Amanda; Yan, Holly; Flores, Rosa (August 18, 2016). "Louisiana flooding: 'Cajun Navy' answers call for volunteers". CNN.
- ^ Thornbecke, Catherine (August 18, 2016). "Volunteer 'Cajun Navy' Rescues Fellow Community Members Trapped by Louisiana Floods".
- ^ Morris, David Z. (August 20, 2016). "How the "Cajun Navy" is Using Tech To Rescue Flood Victims in Louisiana". Fortune.com. Fortune. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
- ^ Crisp, Elizabeth (August 12, 2016). "Gov. John Bel Edwards declares state of emergency for entire state because of severe weather". Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- ^ Baton Rouge Area Chamber (August 18, 2016). "BRAC's preliminary analysis of potential magnitude of flooding's impact on the Baton Rouge region" (PDF). Baton Rouge Area Chamber. Baton Rouge Area Chamber. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ Holly Yan; Rosa Flores (August 18, 2016). "Louisiana flood: Worst US disaster since Hurricane Sandy, Red Cross says". CNN. CNN. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- ^ BLINDER, ALAN; ROBERTSON, CAMPBELL. "As Louisiana Floodwaters Recede, the Scope of Disaster Comes Into View". New York Times. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ a b Cusick, Ashley (August 16, 2016). "This man bought 108 pounds of brisket to cook for the displaced Baton Rouge victims". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ Ben Lockhart (August 15, 2016). "Red Cross: Utah's volunteer response to Louisiana flooding to be largest since 2012". Deseret News. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ Williams, Jessica (August 15, 2016). "New Orleans area officials, nonprofits work to help flood victims in Baton Rouge, elsewhere in Louisiana". The Advocate. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ "FEMA approves $132 million in disaster aid after devastating Louisiana floods". Fox News. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
- ^ "Taylor Swift gives $1m to help Louisiana flood relief efforts". The Guardian. August 17, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ "Lady Gaga becomes latest celebrity sending love and aid to Louisiana". WGNO. August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ "Flood in the United States". www.disasterscharter.org. August 13, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ "$100,000 AT&T Donation Aids Louisianans Impacted by Floods". PR News Wire. August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
AT&T is donating $100,000 to two organizations to help restore Louisiana following the recent floods. The contribution will be divided between the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and DonorsChoose.org.
- ^ SIGUR, MATTHEW. "Harry Connick Jr. and Randy Jackson to co-host flood relief concert in Baton Rouge". The Advocate (Louisiana). Retrieved 28 August 2016.
- ^ Dreilinger, Danielle. "Flood update: 3 in 10 of Louisiana children may have had schools closed". NOLA.com - The Times-Picayune. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ a b c Cusick, Ashley. "As flood-damaged Louisiana schools prepare to reopen, displaced teachers are the biggest challenge". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ Lussier, Charles. "School officials in East Baton Rouge assessing flood damage, deciding when to resume classes". The Advocate (Louisiana Newspaper). Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ Lussier, Charles. "Livingston schools hit worst in flooding, but is not alone". The Advocate (Louisiana Newspaper). Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ Schmaltz, Trey. "Fifteen Livingston Parish schools damaged by water; Some up to 8 feet". Retrieved 2016-08-25.
- ^ "The Latest: 22 Flooded Public Schools Can't Reopen Next Week". ABC News. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ "Home - KATC.com | Continuous News Coverage | Acadiana-Lafayette". KATC.com. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ Schmaltz, Trey. "EBR Schools won't reopen until after Labor Day". WBRZ. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
- ^ Calder, Chad (August 15, 2016). "Only 1 in 8 EBR residents have flood insurance, meaning many will likely bear brunt of losses". The Advocate. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ Larino, Jennifer. "How will Louisiana flooding affect insurance rates?". nola.com. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ CRISP, ELIZABETH. "20 parishes now covered by federal disaster declaration". The Advocate. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ "Catastrophic Floods In Louisiana Have Caused Massive Housing Crisis". NPR. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ Calder, Chad. "FEMA, SBA are key resources for many flood victims, but officials warn grant money just a start". The Advocate. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ Santana, Rebecca. "Flood-Weary Louisiana Cleans House While Search Continues". ABC. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
- ^ "Baton Rouge Offered Mobile Flood Recovery Shelters". FOX 8 News WVUE-TV. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ "Mobile Flood Recovery Centers Set for Louisiana". WAFB.com. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
- ^ a b Berman, Russell. "America Is Ignoring Another Natural Disaster Near the Gulf". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ Scott, Mike. "National media fiddle as Louisiana drowns". The Times Picayune. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ Pallotta, Frank. "National media criticized over Louisiana flooding coverage". CNN. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ Advocate Editorial (August 18, 2016). "Our Views: Vacation or not, a hurting Louisiana needs you now, President Obama".
- ^ "The Latest: Governor Defends Obama's Response to Flooding". ABC News. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ Schleifer, Theodore; Valencia, Nick; Malloy, Allie. "Obama tours Louisiana amid criticism that he's late". CNN. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ "Obama to visit families of Alton Sterling, slain police officers". Retrieved 2016-08-25.
- ^ Gass, Nick (August 19, 2016). "Obama hammered over Louisiana flood response". Politico. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ Teague, Matthew (August 19, 2016). "Donald Trump tours flood-ravaged Louisiana with 18-wheeler of supplies". The Guardian. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ Gray, Noah; Diaz, Daniella; Schleifer, Theodore (August 19, 2016). "Trump, Pence tour flood damage in Baton Rouge". CNN. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ "Donald Trump Hands Out Supplies to Louisiana Flood Victims". NBC News. August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
External links[edit]
Media related to 2016 Louisiana floods at Wikimedia Commons- Website for FEMA assistance
- Help for those affected by Louisiana floods at the Red Cross's website
- Shelter information for those displaced by the floods at the Louisiana governor's website
- East Baton Rouge Parish Flood Inundation Map Map of area flooded by 2016 Louisiana Flood in East Baton Rouge Parish
- Northshore Cajun Army