Happy Town And Sherburne Mandatory Evacuations Extended To Wednesday Morning

Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office says the mandatory evacuation of Happy Town and Sherburne will now last till Wednesday morning at 8:00 am. Also, the remaining portion of Herman Dupuis Road from Dick Davis Park to the Pontoon Bridge will open Wednesday morning as well. Major Higgins says residents will need to be cautious when going back to their homes because water is still continuing to rise, especially in low lying areas west of the Atchafalaya River Highway levee. She says even though the water is rising at a slower rate than expected, it may take several days to recede.

Residents will need to be prepared to show proof of residency for re-entry into the area and are urged to use caution due to standing water in low lying areas. St. Martin Parish Officials have arranged for Mosquito Control to spray this area every night until further notice, and it is recommended that those individuals who are returning to the area apply some type of DEET repellant on themselves to help control the possible spread of mosquito borne diseases. Residents are reminded that they need to exercise caution and be aware of displaced animals and snakes that may have wandered onto their property.

Carter's Cut Canal will be closed to all boat traffic west up to the Pontoon Bridge until further notice.

Residents need to be aware that some of their septic tank systems may be underwater due to rising water and they will be unable to use their sewage systems until the water recedes.

Those residents that live in the Atchafalaya Acres Subdivision will be under a boil water advisory until further notice.