By Message Staff
Five months after historic flash flooding sent nearly three feet of water inside the sanctuary and parsonage of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Roseland, the facility has once again been hit by rising floodwaters.
At least two feet of water has reached inside the building, according to Cindy Camardelle, the wife of Pastor Randel Camardelle. And the National Weather Service says southeast Louisiana will continue to be pounded by a low pressure system causing additional flooding.
Until the latest round of flooding, repairs to the church from the March flooding had progressed and were nearly 75 percent complete. The congregation was two to three weeks away from worshiping in its sanctuary once again.
Now, the congregation will have to wait for an undetermined amount of time for their long anticipated return, their spirit will not be broken by more floodwaters.
“Pray for God’s mercy, for our congregation to not be discouraged and for the Church as a whole to be revived,” Camardelle said.
The right lane is closed on I-10 Eastbound between Siegen Lane and Highland Road in Baton Rouge due to water on the roadway. Please avoid the area and expect delays. Louisiana State Police Facebook photo
Meanwhile, the system had brought flooding to Iberia Parish were two inches of water had gotten into fellowship hall of Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia. Pastor David Denton said they are waiting until the waters recede before begin cleaning up.
A small amount of floodwater came into the worship center and some of the offices at First Baptist Church in Broussard. Much of the water has receded but the carpet remains damp, said Pastor Weldon Moak.
“Just pray the rain stops,” Moak said. “It’s still coming down.”
Louisiana Baptist Convention state disaster relief director Gibbie McMillan said Bethel Baptist Church in Livingston and Riverside Baptist Church in Watson have opened as shelters. Shower units are stationed at both locations.
First responders in Tangipahoa Parish rescued a man from his truck that was found in flood waters on LA 10 near LA 1058.
Please do not attempt to drive through flooded areas. If you become immersed in flood waters it will take additional time for first responders to get to you. Please stay away from flooded roadways and if signage is not already in place, you can call *LSP to report hazardous situations.
Louisiana State Police Facebook photo
More than a foot of rain has fallen in some areas of the state since Thursday and forecaster are predicted this weekend and into early next week. The large amount of rain has prompted numerous closures of school and businesses, flash flood warnings and rescues.
The Advocate in Baton Rouge reported that 75 people were pulled from inundated homes from Kentwood to Hammond. Around 30 roads were closed throughout Tangipahoa parish, including Interstate 55 at mile marker 52 between Kentwood and Roseland and U.S. 51 between La. 38 and La. 10.
Rescues also were taking place in St. Helena, where a number of roads were closed.
A Louisiana State Police Trooper and an East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office Deputy rescue a stranded motorist from their submerged vehicle on Reiger Rd. near Interstate 10. Louisiana State Police Facebook photo
