Residents Living In Flood-Prone Areas Near River Banks In Vermilion Parish Urged To Evacuate

From our news partners KATC -

According to information received from the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Mermentau River Basin is expected to crest on Tuesday as much as two feet higher than the 2013 flooding incident. With that projection, Jeff Davis has begun to make the residents in and around the Lake Arthur areas aware to take preliminary precautions for possible serious flooding caused by the crest of the Mermentau River Basin.

Sheriff Mike Couvillon is asking the residents of the Gueydan and surrounding areas to pay attention to the early warning regarding the Mermentau River Basin and use this time to protect property and make evacuation plans now if needed.

Additionally, as the Vermilion River continues to rise due to flood waters and more rain, we are asking residents living in flood prone areas near the river banks and or any low lying areas to evacuate now (if your road is still passable) before you need an emergency rescue.

The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, National Guard, La. Wildlife & Fisheries and U.S. Coast Guard have been making emergency rescues in Vermilion Parish since yesterday. These rescues are dangerous and it could take hours to get to you and your family, dependent upon the number of rescues ahead of you and the resources available.

Waiting until the roads are too deeply flooded or until the water enters your home to evacuate is putting yourself and your family in jeopardy and waiting until after night fall for a rescue evacuation becomes extremely dangerous.