It’s been almost 15 months since the torrential rains of August 2016 flooded many parts of Acadiana. The record-breaking rainfall inundated many facilities at the Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, shutting down the popular RV campground and visitor cabins.
The entire park was flooded, in some areas to a depth of up to three feet. And the water lingered for several weeks before finally draining off.
And over the past year, heavy rains have caused additional flooding, to a lesser degree, on several occasions.
It now appears it will be at least another year before the campground, cabins and water playground are opened for public use.
A recent visit to the park revealed broken branches and fallen trees littering the closed-off campground.
In a recent interview, State Parks Public Information Officer Sharon Broussard said staff members were completing the design phase for repair work at the park and construction could begin in January and hopefully be completed by the end of 2018.
The flooding of the 50-site campground compromised the underground electrical grid. The complex will have to be completely rewired, a project Broussard described as “a pretty major undertaking.”
While the 18 cabins, 10 of which are raised on pilings, did not directly flood, wind-driven rain and boat wakes caused extensive damage to the sub-flooring of the cabins and contributed to some mold infestation.
“Contractors will be doing some mold remediation and replacing all the sub-floors,” Broussard says.
Some of the cabin furnishings will also have to be replaced, and the new items have already been ordered.
The popular splash pad water playground is also closed. An underground water storage tank ruptured during the flood and will likely be replaced with an above ground tank.
While the conference center/meeting room escaped damage, the site is being used as a staging area for repair activities and is also closed to the public.
The park’s four large pavilions are still available for day use as is the boat launch. Some of the 6,000-acre park’s nature trails are also accessible.
Cost estimates for the extensive repairs needed were not disclosed.
