Floods in Louisiana displace thousands

More than 11,000 people in southern Louisiana hunkered down in shelters Monday, forced out of their homes by intense flooding that took many people by surprise.

The weather had improved from the torrential downpours, but rivers and creeks in many areas were still way above flood stage, and people downstream eyed the deluge with concern.

Rescuers evacuated more than 20,000 people since the flooding started Friday and more than 11,000 people were in shelters as of late Sunday, according to the state Department of Children and Family Services.

“Everybody got caught off-guard,” said Anthony “Ace” Cox, who started a Facebook group to help collect information about where people were stranded.

National Guard soldiers in high-water vehicles, boats and helicopters helped rescue people, as did Good Samaritans.