A feature on the ABC News website Mar. 13 detailed the flooding occurring in Louisiana and Mississippi that has left thousands of homes damaged. The rivers rose over the banks Sunday, complicating matters even further.
Over a dozen homes located in northwest Tennessee were vacated Mar. 12 after heavy rains caused a breach in a levee, authorities said. Flood warnings were issued throughout the region due to the dangerously high water levels of a number of rivers.
Emergency officials in Louisiana revealed that over 4,958 homes were damaged, with the figure anticipated to increase as more reports come in. In Mississippi, 185 homes were confirmed damaged by floodwaters and roughly 650 homes sustained minor damage.
President Obama signed an order Sunday that declared the flooding in Louisiana a major disaster, permitting federal aid for victims of the catastrophe.
Amidst the flooding problem, Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser shared his concerns regarding the dearth of flood insurance among those homeowners adversely affected by the disaster.
"A lot of these people I spoke to did not have flood insurance because they had never flooded before," Nungesser told ABC News over a phone interview.
Nungesser additionally warned that those residents without insurance may not receive federal disaster aid.
