Lafayette, La. — With water levels in the Atchafalaya River steadily rising, St. Martin Parish officials are taking proactive measures to protect low-lying communities, with Stephensville identified as the most vulnerable area.
Parish President Pete Delcambre confirmed on Monday that 6,000 sandbags have been prepared in anticipation of potential flooding. While sandbags are not yet being distributed to the public, crews are set to transport them to Stephensville beginning Tuesday, staging them in strategic locations should conditions worsen.
“We want to prepare ourselves to be sure if something does occur, we are on top of it,” Delcambre said.
Stephensville, located in Lower St. Martin Parish, sits on relatively flat terrain with limited levee protection, making it particularly susceptible to rising water. As part of a broader flood mitigation strategy, the Bayou Chêne flood control structure—comprised of an old sunken barge—is being closed to help prevent backflow from the Gulf of Mexico.
Delcambre emphasized that the parish is coordinating closely with Emergency Preparedness Director Terry Guidry and the National Weather Service to monitor conditions and respond swiftly. Pumps are already in place in key areas, with additional units available from local vendors if necessary.
“The daily updates and planning we do with Terry and our emergency team allow us to stay ahead of the curve,” Delcambre noted.
Residents are being urged to stay informed by checking updates posted on the St. Martin Parish government website or by contacting the parish directly through the emergency numbers provided.
“If the website doesn’t have what they need, we’ll make sure they get answers,” Delcambre said.
While officials stress that there is currently no need for panic, they are urging vigilance as forecasts indicate the river may continue to rise in the coming days.