Floating cars, boats in the backyard, and houses seven feet underwater has been the new reality for thousands in Louisiana for the past month. It came as a shock to many when the floods first began back on August 13. Houses, stores, and lives were put into shambles and are still on hold as the clean-up will not be a simple process. The people of Louisiana now have to try and rebuild their towns and get the help they need.
The combination of the deep, tropical moisture combined with low pressure near the surface are the root causes of the floods.
“I am assuming that due to the flat lands, that is the reason why [the floods happened],” Newtown High School senior Allie Muzzio said. “It could also be due to human interaction in the world with the environment.”
The heavy, constant rain downfall is similar to that of a tropical storm, some parts exceeding 30 inches. This rain caused the rivers and the sea level to rise rapidly, the most significant being the Amite River with an increase in 58.56 feet. In addition to the constant downpour, the moisture content in the atmosphere, almost the highest levels there has ever been.
“The storm halted right over the area and continued to dump rain with high rainfall rates between 2-3 inches on hour,” AP Environmental teacher Stephanie Paulsson said.
Red Cross said that this is the worst natural disaster to hit the United States since Hurricane Sandy and will exceed Sandy’s costs, at around $30 million. Roughly 110,000 homes were submerged underwater, more than 7,000 businesses were put on hold, and thirteen people were killed, according to The Advocate.
“I am not surprised by the increase in frequency of these intense storms. We need to start creating the solutions and forecasting what issues might arise. What does this mean for our soil, soil erosion, loss of productive soil, farming and agricultural yields, or economic recovery?” Paulsson said.
Although the Federal Emergency Management Agency has allocated $155 million to help those families struck by the floods and $55 million to insurance policyholders who have filed claims, new problems arise every day.
“FEMA needs to make sure the claims that come in are legitimate and not fraudulent,” Paulsson said. “This might mean more workers and contractors, which could potentially put a further strain on available funds.”
Some houses and cities still remain under inches of water, but even the places in better conditions have had a new problem arise. A deadly mold consequence from the water damage has spread quickly throughout the Prairieville and Baton rouge area.
“If this amount of aid is for the entire state of Louisiana, then it is obviously not enough; that is probably enough money for a couple towns,” Muzzio said. “To rebuild everything, houses, schools, roads, it would be ideal to have more money in that budget.”
This mold is also a big concern apart from the direct flood damages. The mold is the cause of severe allergic reactions and even fatal seizures and its fast growing period at only 24 hours. The only way to really get rid of this mold and to protect the residents is to rip all the walls and foundation away and build it from scratch.
The intense floods came suddenly to these areas, but they are able to predict or prepare in advance, as “most municipalities have flood zoning maps, when purchasing a home it is always good to check if your home is in a potential flood zone or if you need flood insurance,” Paulsson said.
Ranging from the major economic relief to the deathly mold, the residents of Louisiana have been bombarded with constant issues everyday. Rather than feeling hopeless, the country has to come together to try and rebuild these areas and their lives.
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