Interstate 12 near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was closed for more than 24 hours due to heavy flooding. The flooding was caused by heavy rainfall in Mississippi and Louisiana on Friday and Saturday.
Many highways and local roads were closed because of the flooding, but one of the most severe closures was a 70 mile stretch of Interstate 12.
More than 1,500 drivers were believed to have been stranded on Interstate 12, which was closed since Saturday afternoon.
The closure spanned 70 miles, from Baton Rogue to Covington.
The Louisiana State Police used helicopters to drop supplies for stranded motorists. They worked overnight to rescue motorists who had medical emergencies.
Update (8/14/2016 4:01 p.m.):
On Sunday afternoon, enough rain water had receded to allow drivers to begin exiting the highway.
As flood waters recede, stranded I-12 motorists in the Albany area are now exiting the interstate. Interstate12 EB is now OPEN east of Interstate 55 all the way through to Mississippi. Use caution as traffic congestion and locations of water near the roadway remain.
Troopers warn drivers of heavy congestion on Interstate 12 as stranded motorists begin to make their way off the highway. If possible, alternate routes are still advised.