THIBODAUX, La. — It’s been almost a week since Hurricane Francine made landfall in Southeast Louisiana.
In Thibodaux, at least 30 homes flooded, and no one could have anticipated how quickly the rising waters would leave residents high and dry.
“I’m living in a horror zone,” Storm victim Larry Boveland said.
In just half an hour, footage from Boveland’s security camera shows floodwaters from Hurricane Francine take over Midland Drive in Thibodaux.
“It happened fast. In ten minutes, the water was over my sandbags and into my door,” Boveland said.
For almost a week, Boveland has been sleeping without a front door. With no flood insurance, he says he’s burning through his savings to pay for repairs.
“All my living room furniture, my cabinets, my beds, every room flooded. Kitchen cabinets, all the doors are swelled up and wouldn’t open or close,” Boveland said.
Next door, Kermel Williams has been navigating storm damage in his home too, visually impaired and living alone.
“It’s kind of scary, because you know, you don’t know what you’re going to do,” Storm victim Kermel Williams said.
You’ll hear the same story up and down Midland Drive, residents with thousands of dollars of flood damage, and no money to pay for repairs.
“Anybody is eligible for aid in the parish and can apply for FEMA individual assistance based on their damages,” Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson said.
As federal aid becomes available, help may be on the way for storm victims like Williams and Boveland. That’s why Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson is encouraging anyone with damage to apply for financial assistance as soon as possible.
“The best place to start is that FEMA website, plug in your information and get started,” Chaisson said.
Boveland is taking Chaisson’s advice to heart, saying he has plans to apply for assistance. According to him, Francine left his floors and walls wet, but his bank account dry.
“I need to get it done as soon as possible because I don’t have anywhere to go,” Boveland said.
If you have storm damage and live in Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. James, St. John, and St. James Parishes in the New Orleans area along with Ascension, Assumption, or St. Mary Parish , you may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. To apply, visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.
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