Charter activations

14 August 2016

Flood in United States

Type of Event:	Flood
Location of Event:	United States
Date of Charter Activation:	13 August 2016
Time of Charter Activation:	17:57:08
Time zone of Charter Activation:	UTC-05:00
Charter Requestor:	USGS on behalf of State of Louisiana
Project Management:	UT Center for Space Research

More than 20,000 people have needed rescue following massive floods that swept across the state of Louisiana.

The flooding has killed at least four people and residents are being warned it's going to get worse before the flood waters recede.

President Barack Obama declared a major disaster in the hard-hit parishes of East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena and Tangipahoa, freeing up federal funding for flood-related assistance.

The heavy rainfall started on Friday, where some areas received more than 17 inches (43cm) of rain. The neighbouring states of Alabama and Mississippi are also experiencing severe weather.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency on Friday. On Saturday he said: "This is an ongoing event. We're still in response mode."

More than 1,700 rescue personnel had been mobilized and nearly 170 high-water vehicles had been tasked or staged, according to the Louisiana National Guard. An additional 800 guardsmen will likely be deployed.

The Coast Guard was also assisting in the rescue efforts, using helicopters to help residents from their rooftops, cars and trailers.

The state Transportation Department said more than 100 roads have been closed across the state. In Jefferson Davis Parish, so many roads are impassable that Sheriff Ivy Woods declared a 6 p.m. curfew so motorists don't get stranded overnight.

Products

Bayou Manchac, St. James Parish, Louisiana

Source: Sentinel-1A

Acquired: 19/08/2016

Copyright: Copernicus Sentinel data 2016
Map produced by USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC)

Surface water along the Bayou Manchac, St. James Parish, Louisiana

Source: Sentinel-1A

Acquired: 19/08/2016

Copyright: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2016)
Map produced by USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC)

St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

Source: RADARSAT-2

Acquired: 17/08/2016

Copyright: RADARSAT-2 Data and Products © MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (2016) - All Rights Reserved. RADARSAT is an official trademark of the Canadian Space Agency.
Map produced by USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC)