Authorities are going door-to-door to check for bodies and homeowners have started the heartbreaking cleanup as floodwaters recede across parts of southern Louisiana in the US.
But even as the water falls in some parts, it was still rising in others downstream on Tuesday as residents furiously fill sandbags and fled to shelters.
So far 11 people have died, 40,000 homes have been damaged and over 30,000 people rescued since Friday when over one metre of rain fell in 48 hours setting off the worst flooding in Louisiana history.
Reports of looting have continued to come in,prompting Governor John Bel Edwards to put curfews in place in hard hit areas from Tuesday night.
Officials are going from house to house to make sure all residents were accounted for, as well as search countless cars that were caught in the rising water.
"I don't know we have a good handle on the number of people who are missing," Edwards said.
More than 60,000 people had signed up for federal emergency assistance and 16 parishes were added to the federal disaster declaration, bringing the total to 20.
Help also came from another quarter with performer Taylor Swift telling the Associated Press she will donate $US1 million ($A1.30 million) to flood relief.
She said the state's residents graciously welcomed her when she kicked off the US dates of her 1989 World Tour in Louisiana last year.
"The fact that so many people in Louisiana have been forced out of their own homes this week is heartbreaking," the 26-year-old said in a statement.
"I encourage those who can to help out and send your love and prayers their way during this devastating time."
One of the hardest hit areas is Livingston Parish with an official estimating 75 per cent of homes totally destroyed.
Nearly 800 evacuees have gathered in a makeshift Red Cross shelter established in Gonzales, at a multipurpose facility that hosts rodeos, car and truck shows and concerts.
Evacuated cows and horses and rescued pets were also being housed on the property.
