NEW : Heavy rain moves west , expected to hit parts of Georgia and Louisiana . Georgia death toll rises to 17 ; most caught in cars in floodwaters , governor says . Sonny Perdue pleaded Tuesday with residents to stay off roads , noting that nearly all the fatalities so far were drivers and passengers swept away by the floodwater . `` Stuff is important Those killed Tuesday in Louisiana flooding include 2-year-old swept from father 's arms . Governor declares state of emergency in 8 hardest-hit counties .
NEW : Heavy rain moves west , expected to hit parts of Georgia and Louisiana . Georgia death toll rises to 17 ; most caught in cars in floodwaters , governor says . Those killed Tuesday in Louisiana flooding include 2-year-old swept from father 's arms . Governor declares state of emergency in 8 hardest-hit counties .