ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. – As heavy rain is expected to hit St. Landry Parish this week, local officials and residents are taking proactive measures to prepare for potential flooding. Parish Government crews worked tirelessly on Tuesday to secure the area, with an emphasis on sandbagging efforts and clearing bridges in preparation for the storm.
Public works teams, in collaboration with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, spent the day filling sandbags, which were distributed to residents across the parish. The teams also focused on clearing debris from bridges to ensure proper water flow and to minimize the risk of blockages that could exacerbate flooding during the heavy rain.
For many in the parish, the forecasted storm brings back memories of past flooding. Kenneth Rosette, a local resident, knows all too well the devastation caused by floods. Rosette’s home was inundated with eight to nine inches of rain during the severe flooding in 2016. “I flooded in 2016, so I’m here to get sandbags,” he said. “I wasn’t prepared last time, but I’m ready now, and I’m saying my prayers.”
Rosette’s preparedness is echoed by other residents like Melba Jackson, who expressed concerns over the potential severity of the storm. “I hope it’s not too bad. I hope it slows down before it gets to us. I will say—it’s kind of scary,” Jackson admitted as she gathered sandbags to protect her property.
Parish President Jessie Bellard also began his day early on Tuesday, inspecting bridges and ensuring that debris was cleared. “During any rain event like we’re expecting tonight and tomorrow, we check all the bridges and make sure the debris is picked up,” Bellard said. The Wagon Trail Bridge, in particular, remains a major concern for officials, as it has a history of flooding during heavy rainfall.
“We know with this amount of rain, we’re going to have some serious problems,” Bellard noted, referring to the anticipated rainfall. “The water gets about two to three feet above this bridge during a two- to three-inch rain event. Today, we’re doing whatever we can to help. After that, it’s up to Mother Nature.”
Bellard added that if water levels rise near the Wagon Trail Bridge, Billeaux Road will be closed as a precautionary measure to protect residents and prevent further damage.
As the storm continues to approach, the efforts of local government crews and the preparedness of residents highlight the community’s determination to mitigate the impact of the storm. For those in need of sandbag assistance, the St. Landry Parish Government can be contacted at 337-948-3688.
With the risk of flooding looming, St. Landry Parish remains on high alert, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.