Water pumping continues in Plaquemines

Efforts to pump water out of low-lying areas of Plaquemines Parish continued Saturday and officials said they expected to have state Highway 23 clear enough for cars to pass by Monday.

Plaquemines was among the parishes hit by severe flooding when Hurricane Isaac struck more than a week ago.

Full-size trucks were able to traverse the highway Saturday, according to a parish news release. Cars were escorted in convoys on the nearby Mississippi River levee.

Federal aid to Isaac victims continues. The state says more than 44,638 households have been approved for disaster food stamp aid.

Also Saturday, a state coastal official said a second whale has been found dead on a Louisiana beach. The first of the two was reported Friday at Fourchon beach.