LAFAYETTE, La (KLFY) – After a rainy weekend, concerns were raised among residents living along Bayou Vermilion about the high water levels that could potentially result in flooding; however, Bayou Vermilion District officials say there’s no need to worry.
Currently, the bayou sits at about 10.12 ft., which is just slightly above flood stage, but officials say the water level being this high poses no threat to homes along the river.
“Anytime you see a couple of days of normal rain, the river will look high at about the level that it’s at right now, but right now there’s not a lot of reason to be concerned,” said Erin Segura, Director of Communications for Bayou Vermilion District.
After torrential rains in August that brought about historic flooding for much of Acadiana, some residents still remain on edge.
“Coming over the bayou I always check it,” said River Oaks resident, Charles Dugas.
Segura says despite last weekend’s rainfall, the water levels aren’t abnormal; however, she says they’ve taken precautions.
“We closed off the public boat launches and we discourage river activity because it can be a little dangerous for boaters, and also if boaters are going too fast there is a potential to splash water into people’s yards,” said Segura.
While some residents have concerns–those living in the River Oaks subdivision, which was hit hard back in August, say they’re not too worried.
“I didn’t see any problem with it (Bayou Vermilion) at all this weekend,” said Dugas. “It did go up from where it was 3 or 4 days ago.”
Dugas says this past weekend’s rain was in no comparison to what they saw back in August. He feels residents shouldn’t be alarmed.
“River Oaks subdivision has no problem at all with that water coming out of the river; even with the breach in the levee that they had, after they fixed it within 30 min. our subdivision was dry because of the new pumps that they put in,” said Dugas.
Segura says homes along the river wouldn’t see any flooding until the river would crest at about 13.5 ft.
Good news is, Chief Meteorologist Heath Morton, says Bayou Vermilion is expected to descend below flood level by Wednesday night.