It’s been almost ten days since the massive rainfall started to inundate Louisiana. At least 13 people have died due to the flooding that has swept through the southern region of the state.
As waters have slowly withdrawn from certain areas, Louisiana continues to fight back the consequences derived from the rainfall. There are search groups going door to door trying to help survivors or rescue bodies trapped by the torrential waters. The hard work is increasing as people are trying to recuperate and clean their houses, other trying to find a place to stay or even trying to find a missing relative.
Even the dead ones have been disturbed by the flood
The devastating waters have irritated not only the living ones in Louisiana, but also it was reported that the flooding has been so powerful it has sent caskets floating from cemeteries. In Livingston Parish, they have reported that about 30 caskets have been unearthed. As well, about 10 caskets were unearthed nearby Jefferson Davis Parish. They are planning to rebury them after the flood finally recedes. “This is bad, it’s just bad. You can’t even come to see people. You don’t know where they’re at,” said Ravonte Thomas, whose relative’s casket had disappeared.
As well, about ten caskets were unearthed nearby Jefferson Davis Parish. They are planning to rebury them after the flood finally recedes. “This is bad; it’s just bad. You can’t even come to see people. You don’t know where they’re at,” said Ravonte Thomas, whose relative’s casket had disappeared.
At the Plainview Cemetery in Denham Springs, families have found a chaotic situation with some vaults overturned or empty graves. This is a unique Louisiana problem since the water table is so high that people cannot be buried six feet under. Generally, caskets are inside vaults that are partially above ground. Therefore, when floods happen it is more likely that this kind of problem occurs.
“As the water table gets high and the ground gets saturated, it’s just like a boat. It’s going to float,” said John Marston from coroner’s office. Additionally, he said most of the caskets stayed within the cemetery grounds, although some have gone further.
Search teams continue knocking on doors
After 13 deaths reported because of the floods, Louisiana search teams have not rest going door to door, checking for signs of life. They hope for the best but after this catastrophic event, they are prepared for the worst.
They have also received help from people all over the state and even from other states to help survivors. In some areas, mainly in southern Louisiana, water is still so high that people are rowing boats out to their houses. “It is devastation, absolute devastation. I mean these homes, some areas have not flooded. They never flood, and they flooded,” said Stacey Rand of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s office.
Due to the recent events, some people have criticized President Obama’s response to the flooding in the state since he hasn’t visited the region to see the damage first-hand. Louisiana’s Governor John Bel Edwards -who happens to be a democrat- has defended Thursday the Obama administration, saying he has spoken to the White House daily and that he has received quick responses to all of his requests.
He also stated that the President could visit the state whenever he likes, though he preferred Obama to wait at least two weeks to guarantee the president’s safety as several roads continue to be blocked.
Source: El Paso Inc.