77°
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
7 Day Forecast
Follow our weather team on social media

2 On Your Side with Brittany Weiss is here for you.

Watch 2 On Your Side reports on all WBRZ News 2 newscasts: morning, noon, afternoon and evening.  Brittany Weiss is the 2 On Your Side anchor/reporter.  Check this page daily for helpful information and On Your Side reports.

Send tips to OnYourSide@wbrz.com

Flooding worries circle around Dawson Creek, federal funding could help

BATON ROUGE - A neighborhood along Acadian Thruway, near I-10 and Dawson Creek, is tired of flooding. The most recent storm on June 6, 2019, was the final straw.

At least 17 homes flooded along Honeysuckle Ave. and surrounding streets. Piles of debris sit at the curb, as it has in the past since this isn't the first time some of these homes have flooded.

"You know, if something isn't done we're doomed," said Ron Dubuis.

About a dozen residents met with 2 On Your Side Friday morning to discuss their concerns and how it's ruining their quality of life. The community, many of whom have lived there for decades, say the flooding issues have been happening for years.

It's become so frequent that Dubuis waterproofed his home years ago, installing tile and opting for materials that don't absorb liquid. A couple of weeks ago his home flooded with 18 inches of water. He moped up the water on his floors after it went down and soon after called WBRZ.

The residents tell 2 On Your Side they are confident the source of their problems is Dawson Creek.

"The whole canal is flooded and it's obstructed and when we get additional water it's got to go someplace and it backflows out of the canal," said Stanley Livingston.

Even the Department of Transportation of Development, which operates the pump at the railroad overpass and Acadian Thruway that constantly seems to fill with water, says the pumps work as they should. But with the receiving streams at capacity, there is no tributary to pump the water to.

The residents have documented the situation well, traveling up and down Dawson Creek looking at obstacles and overgrowth. The City-Parish says it can't comment on the situation as it stands because it hasn't had performed a proper investigation, but it says it does not have funding to clean out Dawson Creek. Which is the major concern for these residents.

"It's a nice neighborhood, it's easy to get to LSU, to get to other places, but those of us who live in the houses that flood, when we move, who's going to buy the house?" said Freda Yarbrough Dunne.

The state and City-Parish is aware of multiple options coming down the line and they all work in concert with one another.

Congressman Garret Graves' says there is $3 billion to be used to improve the evacuation of water in the Baton Rouge area.

That includes $300 million from FEMA, of which $112 million is going to East Baton Rouge Parish to be used for additional flood protection work, including clearing and snagging drainage canals. The City-Parish must first submit a "hazard mitigation plan" to FEMA. There's a plan to use $15 million of that for a stormwater protection plan study to learn more about the parish's drainage issues.

There's $1.2 billion from the office of Housing and Urban Development. There are no projects assigned to that funding yet, but EBR will be eligible for a portion of that. The state is waiting for the final set of rules on how to spend the money.

Graves helped secure $255 million in federal funding from the Army Corps of Engineers for the for East Baton Rouge Parish flood control. That project dates back decades but was never funded until about a year ago. That money would clear, widen, and deepen Blackwater Bayou, Jones Creek, Beaver Bayou, Blackwater Bayou, Bayou Fountain, and Ward's Creek.

While there's not money directly set to improve Dawson Creek at this time, it does feed into Ward's Creek, which when improved, will allow for better drainage down the line. The project is still in the works because neither the state or City-Parish has been able to put up a local funding match of $65 million, which would be paid back over 30 years after the project is completed.

Friday evening, Graves, the City-Parish, and the governor's office all confirmed they've been speaking with the other in the last few days and plan to arrange a meeting in the next week or so. All parties say they recognize the opportunity and want to put that funding to use.

Finally, the funding for the Comite Diversion Canal project has been secured and is being put to use right now. Recently, the Army Corps has said it expects to have the diversion canal completed by 2021. With the canal project completed, it will take a lot of stress off the larger rivers and allow for water in the smaller tributaries to drain quicker.

Grid
List
BATON ROUGE - A neighborhood along Acadian Thruway, near I-10 and Dawson Creek, is tired of flooding. The most recent... More >>
5 years ago Friday, June 21 2019 Jun 21, 2019 Friday, June 21, 2019 6:02:00 PM CDT June 21, 2019 in News
DENHAM SPRINGS - A mobile home dealer in Livingston Parish is in hot water again. Last year, 2 On... More >>
5 years ago Thursday, June 20 2019 Jun 20, 2019 Thursday, June 20, 2019 6:57:00 PM CDT June 20, 2019 in News
UPDATE: Republic Services announced Tuesday it will hold a press conference Wednesday to detail plans to improve service. The... More >>
5 years ago Tuesday, June 18 2019 Jun 18, 2019 Tuesday, June 18, 2019 6:40:00 PM CDT June 18, 2019 in News
DENHAM SPRINGS - Neighborhood growth in one area of Livingston Parish is creating drainage issues. At one time, a 12-inch... More >>
5 years ago Monday, June 17 2019 Jun 17, 2019 Monday, June 17, 2019 6:16:00 PM CDT June 17, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE – Near-convincing phishing emails are targeting automatic deposits for employee’s salaries and if a payroll department is not... More >>
5 years ago Friday, June 14 2019 Jun 14, 2019 Friday, June 14, 2019 3:28:00 PM CDT June 14, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - A woman is living next to a property that she says hasn't been touched since the August... More >>
5 years ago Thursday, June 13 2019 Jun 13, 2019 Thursday, June 13, 2019 6:27:00 PM CDT June 13, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - For many, Thursday's severe weather made it difficult to get around. One Baton Rouge nurse had to... More >>
5 years ago Friday, June 07 2019 Jun 7, 2019 Friday, June 07, 2019 6:41:00 PM CDT June 07, 2019 in News
MONTPELIER - A woman's mobile home has been destroyed after a large tree fell through it during a tornado. Now... More >>
5 years ago Wednesday, June 05 2019 Jun 5, 2019 Wednesday, June 05, 2019 6:31:00 PM CDT June 05, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - The City-Parish is working toward flood relief in the Zeeland Place neighborhood of Baton Rouge after a... More >>
5 years ago Wednesday, May 29 2019 May 29, 2019 Wednesday, May 29, 2019 8:08:00 PM CDT May 29, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - Another bridge in the northern part of East Baton Rouge Parish is closed. The Pride-Baywood Bridge near... More >>
5 years ago Monday, May 27 2019 May 27, 2019 Monday, May 27, 2019 6:40:00 PM CDT May 27, 2019 in News
PORT ALLEN - A railroad crossing on the west side could be the source of a number of vehicle issues.... More >>
5 years ago Monday, May 20 2019 May 20, 2019 Monday, May 20, 2019 6:45:00 PM CDT May 20, 2019 in News
LAFAYETTE - Some medical professionals say the doctor they work for can't afford to pay them. At least one employee... More >>
5 years ago Thursday, May 16 2019 May 16, 2019 Thursday, May 16, 2019 7:13:00 PM CDT May 16, 2019 in News
PRAIRIEVILLE - The Department of Environmental Quality says it's monitoring chemicals, tied to a decades-old dumping, that was found in... More >>
5 years ago Wednesday, May 15 2019 May 15, 2019 Wednesday, May 15, 2019 12:09:00 PM CDT May 15, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - Last month, 2 On Your Side reported that three Live Oak trees were vandalized along Airline Highway... More >>
5 years ago Tuesday, May 14 2019 May 14, 2019 Tuesday, May 14, 2019 6:43:00 PM CDT May 14, 2019 in News
UPDATE: The mayor's office announced Thursday that she has requested AT&T suspend construction of its new cell towers around the... More >>
5 years ago Sunday, May 12 2019 May 12, 2019 Sunday, May 12, 2019 11:00:00 PM CDT May 12, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - Weather conditions in the last couple of days have some homeowners worried. Sharon Bell contacted 2... More >>
5 years ago Friday, May 10 2019 May 10, 2019 Friday, May 10, 2019 5:36:00 PM CDT May 10, 2019 in News
PRAIRIEVILLE - Donna Winstead has been living in a moldy disaster for years, holding onto hope that her landlord will... More >>
5 years ago Wednesday, May 08 2019 May 8, 2019 Wednesday, May 08, 2019 8:13:00 PM CDT May 08, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - One woman says it's a terrible injustice and her bills are mounting. Two years after receiving widowers... More >>
5 years ago Tuesday, May 07 2019 May 7, 2019 Tuesday, May 07, 2019 7:20:00 PM CDT May 07, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - The City of Baton Rouge broke ground on a new sidewalk project in the Zeeland and Poet's... More >>
5 years ago Friday, May 03 2019 May 3, 2019 Friday, May 03, 2019 5:21:00 PM CDT May 03, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - The City-Parish followed through on its word to further inspect a possible drainage blockage in the Zeeland... More >>
5 years ago Tuesday, April 30 2019 Apr 30, 2019 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 5:30:00 PM CDT April 30, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - Buyer beware. A man looking to purchase a puppy online was scammed out of hundreds of dollars.... More >>
5 years ago Monday, April 29 2019 Apr 29, 2019 Monday, April 29, 2019 5:01:00 PM CDT April 29, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - Someone took down three live oak trees in what appears to be an illegal act over the... More >>
5 years ago Friday, April 26 2019 Apr 26, 2019 Friday, April 26, 2019 5:19:00 PM CDT April 26, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - A bill aimed at fining telemarketers or scammers using a phone, email, or text message to target... More >>
5 years ago Wednesday, April 24 2019 Apr 24, 2019 Wednesday, April 24, 2019 6:28:00 PM CDT April 24, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - Someone claiming to be the owner of a piece of property installed a chain link fence to... More >>
5 years ago Tuesday, April 23 2019 Apr 23, 2019 Tuesday, April 23, 2019 6:48:00 PM CDT April 23, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - Residents living in the Zeeland Place neighborhood of Baton Rouge continue to have issues with water after... More >>
5 years ago Friday, April 19 2019 Apr 19, 2019 Friday, April 19, 2019 6:00:00 PM CDT April 19, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - Homeowners fighting erosion problems say they're being left on their own. East Baton Rouge Parish says it... More >>
5 years ago Wednesday, April 17 2019 Apr 17, 2019 Wednesday, April 17, 2019 5:53:00 PM CDT April 17, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - Darrell Rivers says putting up a two-foot wall around his property is better than worrying about whether... More >>
5 years ago Tuesday, April 16 2019 Apr 16, 2019 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 6:34:00 PM CDT April 16, 2019 in News
DENHAM SPRINGS - A Livingston Parish homeowner says the work completed on her backyard oasis is sloppy and she wants... More >>
5 years ago Monday, April 15 2019 Apr 15, 2019 Monday, April 15, 2019 6:57:00 PM CDT April 15, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - The state says it has a bunch of money it wants to give back to Louisiana residents.... More >>
5 years ago Friday, April 12 2019 Apr 12, 2019 Friday, April 12, 2019 6:50:00 PM CDT April 12, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - A woman who's been living in a home for four years will finally be able to use... More >>
5 years ago Thursday, April 11 2019 Apr 11, 2019 Thursday, April 11, 2019 6:25:00 PM CDT April 11, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - Some tenants are spending another night without electricity in their apartment off S. Flannery Road. The power... More >>
5 years ago Monday, April 08 2019 Apr 8, 2019 Monday, April 08, 2019 10:11:00 PM CDT April 08, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - She had the dress, he had the tux, and all their friends and family were in town... More >>
5 years ago Wednesday, April 03 2019 Apr 3, 2019 Wednesday, April 03, 2019 5:44:00 PM CDT April 03, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - Residents in one neighborhood were surprised when a wall went up, cutting off a through street. They... More >>
5 years ago Tuesday, April 02 2019 Apr 2, 2019 Tuesday, April 02, 2019 7:00:00 PM CDT April 02, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - A dog living in the Sherwood Forest area was seized by animal control Sunday after residents reported... More >>
5 years ago Monday, April 01 2019 Apr 1, 2019 Monday, April 01, 2019 6:35:00 PM CDT April 01, 2019 in News
GONZALES - Flood map changes are coming to Ascension Parish and it was a shock to dozens of people who... More >>
5 years ago Tuesday, March 26 2019 Mar 26, 2019 Tuesday, March 26, 2019 6:55:00 PM CDT March 26, 2019 in News
UPDATE: After the 2 On Your Side report Monday, the two parties have met and come to an agreement. ... More >>
5 years ago Monday, March 25 2019 Mar 25, 2019 Monday, March 25, 2019 7:11:00 PM CDT March 25, 2019 in News
UPDATE: After the 2 On Your Side story aired Friday, property owners say Ascension Wastewater Treatment visited their homes to... More >>
5 years ago Friday, March 22 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Friday, March 22, 2019 10:47:00 PM CDT March 22, 2019 in News
SLAUGHTER - In September 2018, some parents reached out to 2 On Your Side regarding the condition of the school... More >>
5 years ago Thursday, March 21 2019 Mar 21, 2019 Thursday, March 21, 2019 6:58:00 PM CDT March 21, 2019 in News
GONZALES - Red dust flying through the air in a residential area of Ascension Parish is getting the attention of... More >>
5 years ago Tuesday, March 19 2019 Mar 19, 2019 Tuesday, March 19, 2019 7:09:00 PM CDT March 19, 2019 in News
UPDATE: The Louisiana Department of Health tells WBRZ there is funding available and should last through the end of April... More >>
5 years ago Wednesday, March 13 2019 Mar 13, 2019 Wednesday, March 13, 2019 9:49:00 PM CDT March 13, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - A property manager says they found a bag full of mail left for garbage. Debbie Henning... More >>
5 years ago Tuesday, March 12 2019 Mar 12, 2019 Tuesday, March 12, 2019 9:48:00 PM CDT March 12, 2019 in News
PRAIRIEVILLE - A scam promised easy money, and a lot of it, if you were to wrap your car in... More >>
5 years ago Monday, March 11 2019 Mar 11, 2019 Monday, March 11, 2019 6:50:00 PM CDT March 11, 2019 in News
PLAQUEMINE - A few thousand people recently opened up their mailboxes to a warning from Iberville Parish. It's because Iberville... More >>
5 years ago Wednesday, March 06 2019 Mar 6, 2019 Wednesday, March 06, 2019 5:42:00 PM CST March 06, 2019 in News
HOLDEN - A property owner in Livingston Parish says her blood is boiling because a construction crew is using her... More >>
5 years ago Friday, March 01 2019 Mar 1, 2019 Friday, March 01, 2019 6:48:00 PM CST March 01, 2019 in News
CONVENT - One man's treasure is another man's trash. At least that's what one property owner in Convent says. ... More >>
5 years ago Thursday, February 28 2019 Feb 28, 2019 Thursday, February 28, 2019 5:48:00 PM CST February 28, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - A neighborhood experiencing cut-through drivers is putting the brakes on speeding. If you're taking a drive... More >>
5 years ago Monday, February 25 2019 Feb 25, 2019 Monday, February 25, 2019 5:23:00 PM CST February 25, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - An illegal dumping ground has been cleaned up following Wednesday's 2 On Your Side story. The City-Parish... More >>
5 years ago Thursday, February 21 2019 Feb 21, 2019 Thursday, February 21, 2019 6:25:00 PM CST February 21, 2019 in News
UPDATE: Just hours after the WBRZ report on the trash piled up near the child care center, the trash appears... More >>
5 years ago Thursday, February 21 2019 Feb 21, 2019 Thursday, February 21, 2019 11:58:00 AM CST February 21, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - For once, you can't blame the guy for a late Valentine's Day gift. Corey Dalfrey says... More >>
5 years ago Friday, February 15 2019 Feb 15, 2019 Friday, February 15, 2019 6:05:00 PM CST February 15, 2019 in News
BATON ROUGE - There's a new way to tell if an area is safe to swim in or eat fish... More >>
5 years ago Wednesday, February 13 2019 Feb 13, 2019 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 7:00:00 PM CST February 13, 2019 in News

News tip form