FARMINGTON -- Local Red Cross volunteers are heading to help flood ravaged areas in Louisiana.
Five Red Cross volunteers from Connecticut and Rhode Island are deploying to Louisiana on Thursday. Donna Hathaway, from Uncasville, is one of them and will serve as a Health Services Supervisor on site. In addition, eight volunteers have virtually deployed as call center volunteers and remain local taking shifts answering calls from the impacted area assisting those in need.
Tens of thousands were forced to abandon their homes and virtually all their belongings since the storms started late last week.
Some didn't escape in time. At least 11 have died in the flooding, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Tuesday.
Officials from various parishes had put the death toll Monday night at nine, including some swept away in cars on flooded streets. The reason for the conflicting death tolls was not immediately clear.
Because this flooding was not spawned by a named storm or hurricane, Edwards called the deluge "historic" and "unprecedented."
More than 20 inches of rain have pummeled Baton Rouge since last week, and more is on the way, forecasters said. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through the week.
Donations are being accepted now at 1-800-RED-CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Donors can also visit the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.
