CONVENT — St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel has declared St. James Parish in a state of emergency this morning after a night of intense rainfall led to widespread flooding of homes and businesses this morning.

Roussel said residents on the east bank and the west bank of the parish have reported flooding in their homes, with some reporting up to six inches of water in their house.

He said his office has requested sandbags from neighboring parishes.

He urges residents to stay off the streets for their own safety and so they are not pushing water further into homes with their vehicles.