St. Mary Parish, LA – One year after Hurricane Francine, local officials in St. Mary Parish say the community has recovered and is more prepared than ever for the next major storm. The Category 3 hurricane caused widespread flooding, wind damage, and debris when it made landfall near Morgan City, testing the resilience of residents and first responders alike.
Hurricane Francine: Devastation and Response
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Francine, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Gary Driskell recalled the challenges first responders faced while assisting residents.
“We had our problems, you know, trees falling on some houses, some flooding and things of that nature,” Driskell said. “As it passed, as far as my office was concerned, we weren’t law enforcement at that point, we were neighbors helping neighbors.”
Deputies worked around the clock to provide support beyond traditional law enforcement duties. They placed tarps on damaged roofs, delivered ice to residents without power, and cleared blocked roadways to ensure emergency crews could reach affected areas.
Driskell noted the resiliency of residents despite significant property damage.
“It flooded a lot of homes in the Morgan City area. It was devastating. And some of those people are still recovering, but they’re very resilient,” he said. “A lot of them has redone their homes and they’re good to go.”
Preparation: Lessons Learned and Implemented
Years of hurricane experience have helped local authorities refine emergency plans. Sheriff Driskell emphasized that preparation is key to minimizing storm impact.
“I think we’re pretty much doing everything the same, you know, just making sure food, water, you know, all the gear, everything we may need,” he said. “Because when hurricanes hit around here, we’re the first ones out. We’re cutting down trees to get them off the roadway so, you know, first responders can respond.”
This proactive approach ensures that both residents and emergency personnel are better equipped to handle future hurricanes, reducing response times and improving safety across the parish.
U.S. Coast Guard Efforts During Francine
Lt. Cmdr. Matt Meacham of the U.S. Coast Guard described the challenges of keeping the region’s waterways operational during and after the hurricane. Sediment displaced in the Achafalaya River created hazards for commercial and emergency traffic.
“It isn’t necessarily visible, but one of the biggest, largest impacts we had was that a lot of sediment got pushed up the Achafalaya River,” Meacham said. “And so after the hurricane made landfall, then we started assessing, okay, can we open the waterway, can we move traffic, can we start getting the economy back?”
Strong partnerships with local industry and port operators were critical to reopening waterways quickly.
“We had already made and built relationships with our partners, with industry so that those conversations were easy to have and facilitate after the storm,” Meacham added. “I think that just making sure that we continue to work on those relationships… when another hurricane does come… we’re able to have good communications and good cooperation like we did last year.”
Strengthening Local Response Plans
The experiences from Hurricane Francine have strengthened emergency preparedness plans in St. Mary Parish. Officials say they are more prepared than ever for future storms, with improved communication, resource allocation, and response strategies in place.
“The lessons we learned last year have already shaped how we respond to emergencies this hurricane season,” Driskell said. “We’re better equipped, more organized, and ready to support our community.”
Community Resilience Remains Key
Both parish officials and Coast Guard representatives highlighted the importance of community resilience. By fostering collaboration between local authorities, emergency responders, industry partners, and residents, St. Mary Parish aims to minimize the impact of future hurricanes and maintain safety for all.
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