BATON ROUGE, La. (Office of the Governor) – Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency in Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bossier, Caddo, Grant, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita and Rapides Parishes as a result of severe weather and flooding.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness continues to support local emergency managers as concerns grow regarding river flooding across several areas of the state. GOHSEP activated its Crisis Action Team last week to help provide assistance at the local level. GOHSEP has helped supply more than 100 thousand sandbags, provided river and weather reports to our statewide emergency partners and held conference calls with the first parishes expected to be impacted by the river flooding.

“We typically see these types of river issues develop during this time of year,” said Gov. Edwards. “Recent heavy rains in Louisiana and other parts of the country with rivers that impact Louisiana has increased the urgency to prepare for this emergency. Many parishes in north Louisiana are taking action now. We urge the public to do the same if you live or work in an area where river flooding is a concern. Heavy rain and possible severe weather are possible again this week.”

The rising water is due to the flooding of the Red River Valley area which GOHSEP has been closely monitoring.

Residents are encouraged to monitor information and resources provided by GOHSEP, local emergency managers, the National Weather Service, and local media to track possible flooding or severe weather.