Frustrated property owners detail thousands in damages as officials pledge ongoing drainage improvements
ADDIS, La. – Tensions ran high at Tuesday’s town council meeting on May 13 as residents voiced mounting frustration over recurring flooding that has plagued the community for years, with some property owners reporting losses in the thousands of dollars.
Prior to the public discussion, Mayor Toups reported that he had spoken directly to Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser to request grass cutting along LA-1 in preparation for the John Foster parade related to American Idol events scheduled for the following day. The comment drew laughs from the audience, as the mayor noted it required a high-profile event to get routine state maintenance completed.
Eighth Flood in Six Years Sparks Outrage
Tim, a local business owner, delivered an impassioned plea to the council, detailing how his shop has flooded eight times in six and a half years. The most recent flood resulted in approximately $9,200 in damaged equipment, including a 3D printer, computers, hydraulic machinery, and a $3,000-4,000 motor.
“I can’t lift everything off the floor of my shop. I can’t afford to keep replacing stuff. Some of this stuff is not replaceable,” Tim told the council, his voice rising with frustration. “Every time it happens, I spend a month, at least a month trying to clean out.”
Tim’s complaints centered on a drainage contract dispute, alleging the town failed to properly restore a levee and grass seeding after a 2022 project. He claims the levee is now two inches lower than before, allowing water to enter his shop.
Call for Proactive Solutions
Longtime resident Mr. Lester echoed the frustrations of many in attendance, criticizing the town’s reactive approach to drainage problems.
“Every one of these conversations in the last 20, 30 years, and it’s always the same thing. You guys are very, very reactive,” Lester said. “We’ve got to get it in pro-actors. This is bull.”
Lester recalled that when he moved to the area decades ago, there was a substantial ditch that effectively handled drainage. “I moved back in, they had a big street, three foot deep and four foot wide. And it took that. I never had trouble with water.”
Infrastructure Problems Identified
Multiple residents presented evidence of drainage system failures throughout the town:
- Blocked Culverts: One resident documented 24-inch pipes with only nine inches of clearance due to mud accumulation
- Inadequate Maintenance: Photos showed culverts blocked by logs and overgrown vegetation
- Highway Drainage: Residents reported that water cannot cross major roads, causing backup flooding
- Railroad Crossing Issues: Problems with water flow under railroad tracks were cited as contributing factors
A resident who worked 18 years in parish drainage criticized the use of covered culverts instead of bridges, stating: “You’re never going to run that much water through that ditch and that cover. It’s never going to happen.”
Recent Flood Damage Widespread
The meeting revealed extensive damage from recent flooding events:
- Multiple businesses reported water intrusion, including a new building under construction
- Residents in the Sugar Mill subdivision experienced road flooding that forced cars into yards
- Properties along LA-1 reported knee-deep flooding with some homes receiving over an inch of water inside
- Standing water remained in yards for extended periods, creating mosquito and snake problems
Town’s Response and Ongoing Efforts
Mayor David H. Toups and council members acknowledged the severity of the problems while defending their efforts to address drainage issues. Officials cited:
- Budget Commitment: Spending $700,000-800,000 annually on drainage projects for the past 2-3 years
- Coordination Challenges: Working with parish, state (DOTD), and railroad authorities for comprehensive solutions
- Legal Constraints: Need for proper servitudes and easements to access and maintain drainage on private properties
- Engineering Standards: Recent storms described as “thousand-year floods” that exceed designed capacity
“We don’t want water in your shop,” one official told Tim. “We are working with the parish and the parish is looking and trying to build another one of them. We are all working on trying to do other things to help water get out.”
Engineering Assessment
Town engineer Toby addressed some of the specific complaints, noting that the drainage system was designed for 10-25 year storm events. He confirmed that contractors did return to address the levee issue but acknowledged that settling may have occurred over time.
“We designed the project for your 10 or 25-year storm. And the amount of rain that is, anything above that will continue to have problems in the area,” Toby explained.
Moving Forward
The meeting concluded with several residents agreeing to provide photographic documentation of problem areas to town officials. The council indicated they would review specific drainage complaints and coordinate with other governmental entities for comprehensive solutions.
However, residents made clear their patience is wearing thin with promises of future improvements while damage continues to mount.
“Let’s decide what’s got to happen if one does come and do something about it before it happens,” Lester urged. “And we won’t be here tonight listening to every sound and stuff.”
The town has scheduled follow-up meetings to address specific drainage concerns raised during the session.
Editor’s Note: This story is based on a transcript from town meeting audio that had some quality issues. Quotes have been reviewed against the original recording and corrected where necessary for accuracy. The substance and intent of all speakers’ statements have been preserved. Questions or corrections can be directed to Editor@wbrindependent.com.
This story is developing. Residents are encouraged to attend future town meetings to stay informed about drainage improvement progress.
📬 Stay Informed — Free Email Updates
Get the latest from WBR Independent — no fluff, no spam, just real local news.
Leave a Reply