epic flooding in louisiana

PowerPoint Show by Andrew

Over the weekend, a slow-moving storm pulled massive amounts of moisture inland from the Gulf of Mexico, dumping nearly two feet of water on Louisiana and neighboring states.

Governor John Bel Edwards said that at least eight people have lost their lives in the disaster, now affecting 40,000 homes. National Guard troops, emergency rescue teams and local volunteers have been working to rescue as many as 20,000 people trapped by the rising waters.

The flooding has begun to recede in many places today, allowing some homeowners to return and assess the damage.

A casket is seen floating in flood waters in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016. Torrential rains over the weekend dumped nearly two feet of water on the area.

In this aerial photo over Hammond, Louisiana, flooded homes are seen after heavy rains inundated the region on August 13, 2016.

A dog wanders through a flooded neighborhood in Gonzales, Louisiana, on August 16, 2016.

Sgt. Brad Stone of the Louisiana Army National Guard gives safety instructions to people loaded on a truck after they were stranded by rising floodwater near Walker, Louisiana, on August 14, 2016.

In this Sunday, August 14, 2016 photo, a girl takes her pony for a walk on a dry road near flooded homes in Walker, Louisiana.

The floodwaters recede from Bethel United Methodist Cemetery in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana, on August 14, 2016.

A casket floats in front of a partially submerged church in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016.

In this aerial photo over Amite, Louisiana, flooded vehicles are seen after heavy rains inundatied the region on August 13, 2016.

Residents line up on Providence Boulevard in Hammond, Louisiana, where floodwaters inundated their homes on August 13, 2016.

A car is seen partially submerged in floodwaters on August 15, 2016 in Denham Springs, Louisiana.

Prefabricated homes sit in floodwaters at Southern Heritage Homes on August 15, 2016 in Denham Springs, Louisiana.

A Louisiana National Guard dump truck, loaded with rescued flood victims, makes it way back to dry land in Walker, Louisiana, on August 14, 2016.

Families displaced by flooding are unloaded on dry ground after being rescued by the Louisiana National Guard in Walker, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016.

A boat motors between flooded homes after heavy rains inundating the region in Hammond, Louisiana, on August 13, 2016.

Richard Rossi and his 4 year old great grandson Justice wade through water in search of higher ground after their home took in water in St. Amant, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016.

Two women play with a puppy as they spend time together in an evacuation shelter after water flooded their home on August 15, 2016, in Walker, Louisiana.

Danny and Alys Messenger canoe away from their flooded home after reviewing the damage in Prairieville, Louisiana, on August 16, 2016.

Motorists try to navigate deep water flowing over a road in Walker, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016.

A Louisiana Army National Guard dump truck that drove off the road is submerged in floodwaters near Walker, Louisiana, on August 14, 2016.

A submerged vehicle is seen in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on August 15.

Floodwaters are seen on Range Road and I-12 in Denham Springs, Livingston Parish, Louisiana, on August 13, 2016.

Kris New, marks flood-damaged pews outside the Life Tabernacle Church on August 15, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Flood victims are rescued by emergency responders from near Walker, Louisiana, on August 14, 2016.

Brittany Addox carries her dog, Maggie, after being rescued in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016.

Alan Johns navigates his canoe through flooded streets on August 16, 2016, in Denham Springs, Louisiana.