Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents responded to several search-and-rescue missions over the past weekend in northern and western Louisiana after heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding.

Agents from the Region 1 Shreveport office rescued 18 people between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1.

The majority of these rescues, including a man who was heard by agents yelling for help, took place in the Barron Road area of Keithville. Sgt. Troy Parker and Agent Joey Melton found the man clinging to a tree after he tried to ride his bike through floodwaters and was swept downstream. The agents were able to safely return the man to high ground without injury. 

Agents from the Shreveport office also rescued an elderly cancer patient from his mobile home that was flooded in the Detiny Lane area of Desoto Parish. Agents swept other flooded areas in that neighborhood in flatbottom boats making contact with about 125 people to determine evacuation needs.

Agents will remain on standby in this area until it is certain the Red Chute Bayou levee will hold. If the levee breaches, residents will have no more than six hours before flooding would threaten homes.

Agents in Vernon Parish (LDWF Region 3) also responded to three search-and-rescue missions along the Sabine River, pulling one man to safety after he was stranded on the top of his truck while attempting to drive through high water.

Agents in this area also rescued an adult and juvenile hunter who had camped in the Sabine River bottom and found themselves surrounded by rapidly rising floodwaters.

In the Beauregard Parish area (LDWF Region 5), agents were dispatched to rescue four people stuck on top of a truck surrounded by the rising waters of the Sabine River. The Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office deputies on scene were able to borrow a flatbottom boat and rescue the people before the agents arrived.

"We are no strangers to these types of search and rescue missions," said LDWF Enforcement Division's Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze. "Wildlife enforcement agents receive swift-water and first-aid training, and also have the trucks and boats to get into and out of most-flooding situations.

"All agents will remain on standby until the water recedes and people are no longer in harm's way."