At least two people have died as severe flooding continues to hit parts of the US state of Louisiana.

Hundreds of residents have been forced to flee their homes after torrential downpours, and dozens have had to be rescued.

Louisiana's governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency, which will remain in place until September.

Mr Edwards said: “We are in constant contact with local officials and first responders, and assistance is already on the move to affected parishes.

"Every available resource will be used to assist citizens as this situation continues to unfold," he added.

The body of one man was recovered near the state capital of Baton Rouge, while WRBZ reports another body was recovered from a flooded pick-up truck near the town of Greensburg.

According to ABC, more rain is expected to hit the region today.