Heavy rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur left many areas in Avoyelles Parish flooded. The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness calls it a "1,000-year flood." Photo credit: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur — Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne. Arthur’s remnants stalled over Avoyelles Parish throughout the day yesterday, dumping about two and a half feet of rain in some places. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said the scene is mind-boggling.
“Places you’ve never seen water (are) just like lakes,” said Frank. “(In) some places in DuPont, the waters are halfway to structures.”
Louis Coco manages KLIL radio in Moreauville and said the scene was surreal.
“There are a lot of roads that have been closed in Avoyelles Parish,” he said. “A lot of houses are not just being flooded but are underwater.”
Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders as the rain kept coming down, and sandbags were made available for affected residents. Communities also opened shelters for those displaced by floodwaters. Frank said even though the rain has stopped, it’s still a very active scene which is forcing people from their homes.
“The water is still rising in DuPont, and it’s still doing evacuations today,” he said. “I’d say the number has gone up over 200 right now.”
Frank said officials haven’t even begun to assess the damage yet, and it could be a while before they’re able to.
“With all the rain we’ve had, it’s slow receding, and we really need for it to recede so we can do evaluations of homes,” he said.
Frank said the worst part is since most of Avoyelles Parish is not in a flood zone, most people do not have flood insurance. Governor Landry will be visiting this afternoon, and Frank said he may seek a federal disaster declaration.
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