DOTD officials will close La 427, Acadian Thruway, between I-10 and Perkins Road effective immediately on and off throughout the day.  This is due to repairs being made to one of the two pumps which operate in the pump house.   All efforts will be made to keep this roadway open as much as possible.

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to drive safely and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

If you have any questions regarding this closure, please contact Mr. Albert Shield, Jr at 225-329-7717, or Michael Vosburg at 231-4116.

By Keitha Nelson - bio | email

BAKER, LA (WAFB) - On the five year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a couple who lost their home in the storm is reflecting on their time spent living in a Baker FEMA trailer park.

Renaissance Village, the state's largest FEMA trailer park, housed more than 2,000 Katrina evacuees. It closed in 2007.

For one family that lived there, the struggle to reclaim their lives continues. James and Jeanne Walker on Saturday strolled past the gates of Renaissance Village.

"C24 -- I'll never forget that for the rest of my life," James Waller said.

Waller said he will never forget their former trailer number, C24. They called the place home for two years after Katrina.

Waller said the small, cramped trailer was initially a God send. He, his wife, and then-teenage son lived there.

Before Renaissance Village, the Wallers stayed at the River Center for six weeks. James said that experience was disgusting.

By Stacy Gill - Email

ZACHARY, LA - Zachary's Director of Public Works & Utilities, Chris Davezac, said that for some time now, two of his men have been walking the canals and ditches every month checking for debris and build-up to better prepare for storms. 

"During Hurricane Gustav, the sewer lift station at the Eagle Street bridge lost power and people literally had flooding from the north branch of Cypress Bayou and sewer water in their homes," said Davezac, who has experienced storms Andrew, Katrina, Rita and Gustav.

Davezac and his crews, along with help from City-Parish, have made major improvements to the canals, bayous and ditches to prevent the type of flooding that occurred during Gustav.

According to Davezac, improvements include:

• Clearing ditches north of Zachary in the Pride-Port Hudson and Munson Drive areas

• Dug, cleaned and cleared out areas north of Eagle Street to Hwy. 964

• Removed debris of other areas such as the north branch of Cypress Bayou at Ravenwood and Windwood subdivisions, Fennwood area at Eagle St.