As flooding from Harvey continues to unfold in southeast Texas, Louisiana now faces its own increased challenges from the storm’s heavy rainfall.
Governor John Bel Edwards gave updates on the storm at the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in Baton Rouge Monday.
“In all likelihood, the worst is yet to come for us in Louisiana," he warns.
Governor Edwards says President Trump has approved the disaster declaration for the state, which currently names five southwest Louisiana parishes: Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis and Vermillion.
While preparations are still being made for the next several days of rainfall here in Louisiana, officials are also looking at ways to assist Texas.
“We do have 40 members of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries responding to Texas with vessels," says Edwards, "pursuant to a request from Texas to assist in search and rescue.”
Head of the Louisiana National Guard, General Glenn Curtis, says high water vehicles and boats are positioned throughout the state. And once Louisiana is in the clear, he says resources will be available to help Texas in recovery.
“I’ve offered, the Governor has offered - the Louisiana Guard, anything we have can move to Texas to assist them," says Curtis.
Texas has not yet made a request to shelter displaced residents in Louisiana. But Governor Edwards says the state is preparing just in case with a critical needs shelter in Shreveport.
Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Walters explains "if they need to come to Louisiana, we think the I-20 corridor is the easiest way to get them into the state, which would make those Shreveport shelters that are already set and ready the most efficient and effective to fill.”
The Governor is urging people in Louisiana to continue being mindful about Tropical Storm Harvey.