Though the opening of the Morganza Spillway is delayed, residents in Assumption Parish are on edge as they’re already dealing with high water.
Residents in Belle River say flooding is having a major impact on businesses.
“The houses are sandbagged and we’re in a sitting mode, just waiting,” said Carol Aucoin.
She says the small community and surrounding area in Assumption Parish has been flooding since February.
“When that’s inundated with water, the whole parish suffers,” said Aucoin.
She owns a bed and breakfast which has been closed four months because of flooding.
“We’re a resilient Cajun culture. Cajun is in the Vogue. I have people from all over the world that come from Australia, Poland, France, Germany and now, we’re cut off again from the world,” said Aucoin.
She says the water has gone down slightly, but she’s concerned about tropical moisture later this week and water once the Morganza Spillway is opened.
“It is an economic impact not to a large scale like the big barges, plants that’s coming through Bayou Chene, but we can’t go out in the spillway and fish like we should be,” Aucoin said.
Many residents are hopeful their parish will eventually be better protected to prevent future floods.
