© John BallanceSiegen Calais Apartments
The National Weather Service declared a flash flooding emergency for Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and Livingston.
People from around the region posted photos on social media showing streets going underwater, and some people reported water entering their homes.
St. George Fire Department crews made a number of water rescues of people who drove into high water, spokesman Eldon Ledoux said. He and other local officials urged people to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Some parts of southeastern East Baton Rouge Parish, western Ascension Parish and eastern Iberville saw 10-12 inches of rain as of 11:00 p.m., NWS said.
Parts of the interstate began to close around midnight.
I-10 eastbound is closed past Siegen Lane because of water on the roadway, the Department of Transportation and Development said. I-10 is closed near Highland Road.
Entergy reported that more than 15,000 customers were without power in East Baton Rouge Parish on Tuesday morning.
The rain is expected to pick up again Tuesday, and some further street flooding is possible, the National Weather Service said.
More than half the state was under a flash flood watch overnight. Areas west of New Orleans and south of Baton Rouge are most at risk, the National Weather Service said.
On Tuesday, much of South Louisiana is at an elevated risk of excessive rainfall through the afternoon and into the evening. The NWS projects 1 to 3 inches will fall, but some some areas could get 6 inches or more, particularly in areas south of the I-10/I-12 corridor.
NWS says street flooding is the most likely impact, but some locations could see water enter structures.
Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency after flooding earlier Monday. Lake Charles has already seen serious flooding problems, with some places experiencing 12 inches of rain or more.
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