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Southeast Louisiana has an insurance crisis - the new commissioner says he has some ideas

“It does take time for that to happen — which is why it’s all the more important that we hit the regular session fast and hard with these legislative changes."

Brandon Walker / WWL Louisiana

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Published: 12:34 PM CST February 12, 2024
Updated: 1:17 PM CST February 12, 2024

Jalence Isles’ boots were nearly submerged by the time she took to Instagram to share what had become a recurring, yet unwelcomed, situation in her Treme neighborhood: flooding from heavy rain made the intersection of St. Ann and N. Rocheblave Streets impassable.

“I am literally wading in the water now. Look at my boots,” Isles said, as she walked in the middle of the street in rising water.

Isles’ video, shared to her Instagram account, called Where Black Nola Eats, generated hundreds of comments from her 39,000 followers. It was one of dozens of videos recorded the night of Feb. 3, after officials from the Sewerage and Water Board said heavy rain, the loss of a power-generating turbine, and clogged catch basins proved too much, too quickly.

Streets swelled, as drivers risked stalling out, and the threat of financial wipeout flooded fears once more. In her Instagram video, Isles expressed the frustration felt by thousands of homeowners throughout southeast Louisiana.

“I can go swimming down my block,” she said, continuing, “Everyone’s insurance is going up like crazy, doubling, tripling, all that kinda stuff.”

Be it everyday rainstorms that overwhelm city pumps, tornados, hurricanes, or fires, Louisiana residents are at a crossroads. For many, it’s a monthly dilemma: keep up with rising insurance rates, or risk it all – in hopes State leaders come up with a fix, soon.

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