5 p.m.
President Barack Obama has signed an order declaring Louisiana’s widespread flooding from heavy rains a major disaster.
Obama’s disaster declaration triggers federal aid to help the state and residents and businesses. The White House says the declaration makes federal aid available to people in Bossier, Claiborne, Grant, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland and Webster parishes.
Temporary housing, money for home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other forms of aid will be available.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency says more Louisiana parishes could also be declared areas pending damage surveys.
___
2:50 p.m.
Mississippi emergency officials say 185 homes have been damaged by flooding hitting the state. About 650 homes sustained minor damage, according to officials.
The state reports that no injuries or deaths had been reported as of Sunday. However two fishermen were still missing in Claiborne County as of Sunday afternoon.
Mississippi officials also say a nursing home in Clarksdale was evacuated as a precaution.
The state has mobilized about 120 National Guard troops to help.
___
1:20 p.m.
Louisiana emergency officials say more than 4,958 homes have been damaged by flooding after heavy rains left large parts of the state under water.
Louisiana officials say that number is expected to rise as more damage reports come in from areas still battling flooding.
Flooding from high rivers remained a major concern on Sunday in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi.
In Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards was touring damage in western parts of Louisiana.
Meanwhile, more bad weather was in the forecast Sunday night for northwest Louisiana and northern Mississippi.