Raising Homes Prevented Flooding During T.S. Lee

Terrebonne Parish officials say an aggressive effort by parish government to use federal grant programs for elevation of homes is a likely reason why so few homes flooded in Terrebonne as a result of Tropical Storm Lee.

Only five homes  reported flooding to the Terrebonne Parish Emergency Preparedness office by Tuesday.

Brandi Theriot, administrative coordinator in the parish's Hazard Mitigation Program Office, says that since hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the parish has received more than $30 million in federal grants to elevate homes. There are 63 elevation projects currently under construction.

Terrebonne Parish Planning-and-Zoning Director Pat Gordon added that the parish has also demolished more than 700 repeatedly-flooded homes with federal money.