Louisiana floods leave 11 dead, 40,000 homes damaged

The historic storm leaves many homes under water.

Louisiana is dealing with some of the worst flooding to ever hit the state.

At least 40,000 homes damaged and more than 10 people killed in some of the worst flooding in Louisiana history since Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. Homes here along the Tangipahoa River were among the many affected by floods

Homes here along the Tangipahoa River were among the many affected by floods. 

Floodwaters reach the front steps of a home near Holden, La., after heavy rains inundated the region. Estimates put those rescued at over 30,000.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency on Saturday, calling the floods unprecedented and historic. The flooding has left many vehicles submerged in water, like this one in Youngsville on Aug. 14.

Ascension Parish saw extensive flooding, which left this casket floating in floodwater. The parish is one of several approved for federal assistance. 

Even as the water receded in some areas, it was rising in other places downstream. These cattle were huddled together in water caused by flooding after the heavy rains in Ascension Parish, in St. Amant, south of Baton Rouge, on Aug. 16.

Floods hammer the Pelican State.

Some people affected by the flood weren't able to leave their homes with much, like these people in Youngsville. The flooding prompted U.S. President Barack Obama to issue a disaster declaration.

At least 11,000 people have hunkered down in shelters to wait out the floods. Here, Richard Rossi and his 4-year-old great-grandson Justice wade through water in search of higher ground after their home in St. Amant was flooded on Aug. 15. 

Louisiana Army National Guard soldiers and other officials helped rescue hundreds of people from their homes and cars, including Danielle Blount and her 3-month-old baby, Ember.

Due to the storm, several regions broke records for the most rainfall within a 24-hour period leading to scenes like this one in Ascension Parish where an airboat brought rescued residents to safety. 

Thousands of people and pets have been rescued. 

More than 1,000 pets have been rescued so far and emergency crews are searching for more. This dog shows its appreciation to Louisiana State Animal Response Team's Mark Buchert who rescued the dog from floodwaters on Aug. 15, in Baton Rouge. 

Jeff Robinson lowers a ladder from a Louisiana National Guard truck as his wife wades through floodwaters from the Natalbany River near their home in Baptist on Aug. 13. Robinson was seeking a boat ride from state wildlife agents to pick up his wife and children when the National Guard truck arrived. 

Volunteers pull a boat with a woman and young child as they evacuate from their homes in Baton Rouge. The governor said some people were clinging to trees when they were rescued.