Heavy storms trigger severe flooding in Louisiana

Flash floods rock northwest Louisiana

HAUGHTON, Louisiana -- The governor of Louisiana called in the National Guard on Wednesday, and declared a state of emergency after more than a foot of rain.

Two people drowned in Oklahoma and Texas.

Violent Louisiana storms trigger floods, rescues

More than 14 inches and counting near Shreveport -- where roads are washed out, and floodwater is reaching rooftops.

Whispering Pine Drive in Houghton, Louisiana, is one of the hardest hit areas.

The heavy rains quickly flooded homes. More than 100 homes have water up to the roof line.

Cars are submerged leading to water rescues.

"It's a disaster," said Carol Chavis.

Carol Chavis. CBS News

CBS News first spotted Chavis through her window with her husband, and their two grandchildren.

As they waited, the water rose.

But before sheriffs deputies could rescue the family, their neighbor Todd Eaton did.

Carol Chavis being rescued in Louisiana from rising flood waters. CBS News

"We didn't know it was going to flood," Chavis said.

Jackson is her grandson, he said he was scared.

"And then it came under the door," he said of the water.

Sheriffs deputies went door to door helping people get out.

Next door, Harvey Kemper saved two horses on his property. His friends and family waded into his home to try to save family heirlooms.

How fast did the water come up?

"Quickly," Kemper said. "Less than an hour it was from here to right up here. Everything is ruined. I have nothing."

Police monitor floodwaters reaching Highway 80 in Haughton, La., Wednesday, March 9, 2016. AP

Paul Pickerings and his family grabbed what they could as the floodwaters rose.

"We started grabbing stuff, cats, and the girls, and in five minutes it was knee deep," he said. "I happened to look out and it was up to the door knobs."

The sheriff's department rescued him.

"They kicked the door in and then it was a like a tidal wave coming into the house," Pickerings said.

His home and others are still underwater. Eight neighborhoods in this area are under a mandatory evacuation order. Even though the rain has stopped, it is expected to continue through the week.

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