As of 9 a.m., Aug. 30, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents had rescued 1,537 people in St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes since yesterday afternoon, Aug. 29.

LDWF agents worked around the clock evacuating residents to higher ground from rising floodwaters.

Louisiana’s Joint Information Center is placing photos from the search and rescue millions that took place in LaPlace Thursday afternoon and Friday morning online using the photo sharing site Flickr. These photos are courtesy of LDWF.

The following is a breakdown of rescues by parish.

St. John the Baptist Parish: 1,435 people and 131 pets using 50 agents with vessels
St. Tammany Parish: 60 people and one pet using 10 agents with vessels
Tangipahoa Parish: 42 people and 17 pets using six agents with vessels

“These agents have done a commendable job of working through very tough conditions and getting people out of harm’s way to higher ground,” said Col. Winton Vidrine, head of LDWF’s Enforcement Division. “Our agents are highly trained and prepared to handle these catastrophic events and have plenty of experience since Katrina. We will continue to handle search and rescue requests and respond to people that are in need of assistance.”

Through the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, LDWF is the lead agency for search and rescue operations during natural disasters. LDWF has more than 200 agents with vessels at the ready to assist those in need during flooding conditions.

Source: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries