FOX 8 News received this news release from the U.S. Coast Guard Wednesday night:
NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard deployed aircraft and crews, Wednesday, to assist three people in distress in southeastern Louisiana due to Tropical Storm Isaac.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans command center received a report of two people and their two dogs inside a flooded house in LaPlace at 12:13 a.m., and one man aboard a house barge near Lake Catherine that became adrift at 12:34 a.m.
Two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters and crews from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala., and an MH-65C Dolphin helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans rescued the three and brought them to Air Station New Orleans. All three reported no injuries or medical concerns.
Coast Guard crews are assisting persons in distress as well as assessing damage caused by the storm.
The Coast Guard urges residents to heed warnings of local officials and not venture into unsafe conditions.
"The husband and wife and their two dogs were in an area where a lot of houses washed away," said Lt. Cmdr. Jorge Porto, Air Station New Orleans pilot. "They used a flashlight inside the house as a signaling device, which made all the difference in locating them effectively."
The Coast Guard is working with federal, state and local response agencies to assist residents impacted by Tropical Storm Isaac.
If in distress, contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or by dialing 504-589-6225.
Coast Guard personnel with two people rescued from a flooded house in LaPlace (USCG)
