(NaturalNews) The Red Cross is calling the catastrophic flooding in Louisiana the worst disaster to hit the United States since Hurricane Sandy struck the Northeast coast in October 2012. Torrential rains flooded the state last week, with Livingston Parish receiving more than 31 inches of water in less than 15 hours, causing widespread devastation among residents living in the South.

"Thousands of people in Louisiana have lost everything they own and need our help now," said Brad Kieserman, vice president of disaster services operations and logistics for Red Cross.

"This disaster is the worst to hit the United States since Superstorm Sandy, and we anticipate it will cost at least $30 million -- a number which may grow as we learn more about the scope and magnitude of the devastation."
 

Preparedness efforts saved some from catastrophic flooding in Louisiana

Emergency responders including the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Guard have reportedly rescued more than 30,000 residents and 1,400 pets.

Aware of the predicted rainfall, some residents tried to prepare, stocking days' worth of supplies, including food and water.

"I bought enough food to last for a week in case we were flooded in, but I wasn't prepared for this much devastation," said Joe Lee Misner, a resident of Livingston Parish. "Local stores are running low on everything from food to fuel."

She told local media that at least 36 of her family members had lost their homes. "It's unbelievable what we've been through," she said. "We never imaged this would happen."

What's even more unbelievable is that the mayor of Walker, Louisiana, another area slammed with heavy flooding, says the entire disaster could easily have been prevented.
 

Walker mayor says flooding event was "man-made"

Mayor Rick Ramsey even went so far to say that the event was "man-made," adding that he intends to take legal action against the state of Louisiana and the federal government, as reported by WAFB.

The mayor said "a six-foot tall concrete barrier that was put along I-12 when the interstate was expanded last year essentially put the city of Walker 'into a bowl,'" a barrier he says prevented water from draining out of the town.

"When the Amite River went up, it hit that wall," said Ramsey. "We have video evidence that shows the concrete barrier and water lapping over the north shore of the interstate and bone dry on the south of the interstate. They basically built a dam for Walker."

Located about 20 miles east of Baton Rouge, Walker is a city within Livingston Parish, and has a population of approximately 6,100 residents. The estimated per capita income in Walker was just under $24,000 in 2013, with the median household income in the $49,000 range, according to city data.
 

Agenda 21, a government takeover disguised as sustainability

The mayor's comments sparked controversy, leading some to speculate whether or not the ordeal may have ties to Agenda 21, a comprehensive, global plan drafted by the United Nations.