Major problems in Terrebonne Parish
Flooding and hurricanes: A large portion of the parish is low-lying and vulnerable to storm surge, heavy rain, and drainage problems. The parish government says flooding affects many residents and can occur even outside officially designated high-risk flood zones. TPCG+1
Coastal land loss and erosion: Wetlands and marshes are disappearing, reducing the natural protection between communities and the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana’s coastal program identifies erosion, subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and hurricane damage as major problems in the Terrebonne Basin. Coastal Protection Authority+1
Land subsidence (sinking):The land itself is gradually sinking in parts of the basin. That makes existing flood and storm-surge risks worse because the elevation relative to the water keeps decreasing. Coastal Protection Authority
Saltwater intrusion:Canals and changes to the coastal environment allow more Gulf saltwater into freshwater wetlands. This damages marsh vegetation and affects ecosystems and fisheries. Coastal Protection Authority
Aging/vulnerable infrastructure:Roads, drainage systems, pump stations, levees and other infrastructure have to cope with increasingly difficult environmental conditions. Terrebonne’s long-term recovery plan specifically calls for directing infrastructure investment toward lower-risk areas and improving natural flood protection. TPCG
Poverty and housing affordability:** The Census Bureau’s latest estimates put the parish’s poverty rate at about 18%, while the median household income is about $64,836. Low-income households can have a particularly difficult time recovering from hurricanes and flooding.
Population loss/out-migrationTerrebonne Parish’s population fell about 5% between 2020 and 2025, according to Census estimates. Coastal hazards, housing/insurance costs and economic changes are among the issues researchers have associated with people leaving coastal communities. Census.gov+1
Insurance costs and disaster recovery: Repeated storms and flood exposure make insurance and rebuilding expensive. Research on Terrebonne’s coastal communities identifies escalating insurance costs and infrastructure problems as significant pressures on residents. LSU Scholarly Repository
Economic transition: Terrebonne has historically depended heavily on industries tied to the coast, particularly oil and gas, seafood, and related maritime activity. Coastal land loss and changes in the energy industry create economic uncertainty.
These issues affect our families, businesses, communities, and the long-term future of Terrebonne Parish. Addressing them will require strong leadership, responsible planning, collaboration with local, state, and federal partners, and a commitment to putting the needs of our residents first.
If I am elected, I will work diligently to address these issues. I will listen to the people of Terrebonne Parish, advocate for the resources our communities need, support efforts to strengthen flood protection and infrastructure, promote coastal restoration, and work toward creating greater economic opportunities for our residents.
Our challenges are significant, but so is the strength and resilience of the people of Terrebonne Parish. I am committed to working hard every day to help build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future for our parish. :::
If you tell me what office you are running for, I can make this more specific to that position and give it a stronger campaign-style tone.
