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Water rising in Gueydan; many are leaving

Water continues to recede slowly in Vermilion Parish, but there are still many roads flooded near the Vermilion River banks and other low lying areas through out the parish. Most of the main state highways are now passable, but many parish roads remain impassible.
The VPSO continues to operate in recovery mode, available for calls for service while we monitor water on the roadways. Calls for service could be delayed if call locations present roadways that are impassible, causing the need to direct other resources for deep water.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking that the public understand these issues if response times are longer than normal.
“We continue to monitor the Gueydan areas with regard to the Mermentau River Basin cresting, which is now projected to be some time Friday,” said Sheriff Mike Couvillon. “Water continues to rise causing the lake to spill over at some places. A voluntary evacuation has been called by Gueydan Mayor Theriot as of noon on Tuesday, with a possible mandatory evacuation being issued some time later.
As of yesterday, Vermilion OEP has staged the National Guard and Wildlife and Fisheries at the KC hall in Gueydan.
The nursing home has been evacuated. The VPSO has staged its Mobile Incident Command Center on the east side of Gueydan today, with the emergency rescue teams to stage later this evening or tomorrow depending upon how the situation develops.
“We are again asking the residents of Gueydan to please watch the cresting of the Mermentau River Basin and the rising of water very closely and to please evacuate before roads become impassible, especially if their homesteads are subject to flooding under this current condition, similar to the 2013 flood due to the Mermentau river,” said the Sheriff.
There is currently no parish wide curfew imposed. It is possible that the city of Gueydan may impose a curfew at some point.

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