Gov. Edwards travels to southwest La. to monitor TS Harvey operations
(WAFB) - The Louisiana governor traveled to the Louisiana-Texas boarder Wednesday to meet with first responders assisting with water rescues.
The Louisiana National Guard, the State Police, and agents from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have been dispatched to that area to assist those reeling from Harvey's powerful punch.
"We've been through this and we've seen it," said Gov. John Bel Edwards, noting it is important to lend a hand to Texas.
Near Orange, Texas, 87-year-old Madison Selth was among those rescued from a senior center Wednesday. He said the water was up to his waste when the National Guard arrived.
"I've seen it on TV before, but I have never been in it," Selth said.
The Cajun Navy was also standing by. They plucked James Thibodeaux and his family from the floodwaters, including his little 9-month-old daughter.
"We were wading in water this deep between the two houses," Thibodeaux said, motioning to his neck.
The governor and his team flew to Orange before visiting Lake Charles, where one of several shelters is set up for those fleeing the high water. Most seeking refuge there were from Texas, though a few were from Louisiana.
"Man, I've never seen this in my life, it's like I'm living in a nightmare right now," said Isaiah Logan, recalling the rising water in his Iowa, La. home.
With shelters in Lake Charles reaching capacity, the state has also opened up a shelter in Alexandria, La. – yet another example of Louisiana opening its arms wide to its gulf-coast neighbor.
"People are coming here tonight, not knowing when their home is going to be safe or when it is going to be habitable," Edwards said. "We've been through all that and so we're going to comfort the people and so we need to keep the people of Louisiana and more importantly the people of Texas in our prayers."
Earlier in the day, Edwards sent a letter requesting additional parishes be added to the President's emergency declaration.
Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Vermillion Parishes were included in the governor's previous request, which was approved by President Donald Trump. Edwards is now asking for a federal declaration in Allen, Acadia, Iberia, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, and Vernon Parishes. The full letter can be read below:
Edwards will also travel to a shelter located at the Calcasieu Parish Civic Center, where refugees from both Texas and Louisiana are seeking shelter from the floodwater. The governor will also fly over Gueydan, Louisiana, where LANG is responding to a levee breach.
On Wednesday, Edwards sent a letter requesting additional parishes be added to the President's emergency declaration. Parishes in the President Trump's previous disaster declaration include Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Vermillion. Edwards is now asking for a federal declaration in Allen, Acadia, Iberia, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, and Vernon Parishes. The full letter can be read below:
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