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Flood, Move, Repeat: A Generational Story

Hebert family
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WWNO
Jacques Hebert and his grandfather, Donald, and nephew Nicholas. Jacques interviewed his grandfather about his experience with flooding.

For many in south Louisiana flooding is a part of daily life. You buy flood insurance, plan ahead and have a place to stay if there’s a big hurricane. But the floods this summer in and around Baton Rouge took a lot of people by surprise. Many of them had moved away from the coast after previous storms, and never thought it would happen there.

Donald Hebert is one of them. His house in Denham Springs took a foot of water. He went to Madisonville with family. It was the fourth time he’s had to move due to flooding. His grandson, Jacques Hebert, sat down to ask him what’s changed in those decades, and how he’s navigating his options now. 

Support for WWNO's Coastal Desk comes from the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Coypu Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation.

Tegan has reported on the coast for WWNO since 2015. In this role she has covered a wide range of issues and subjects related to coastal land loss, coastal restoration, and the culture and economy of Louisiana’s coastal zone, with a focus on solutions and the human dimensions of climate change. Her reporting has been aired nationally on Planet Money, Reveal, All Things Considered, Morning Edition, Marketplace, BBC, CBC and other outlets. She’s a recipient of the Pulitzer Connected Coastlines grant, CUNY Resilience Fellowship, Metcalf Fellowship, and countless national and regional awards.

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