ADDIS, La. – Heavy rains flooded much of Addis this week, but the town council pushed forward with its regular meeting, arriving by watercraft Thursday evening to approve yet another massive residential development.
Armed with waders, ponchos, and a small convoy of borrowed boats, council members floated through the flooded parking lot to cast their votes in favor of a new 400-home subdivision on land that local residents have long warned can barely drain rainwater now.
“This just shows our commitment to growth,” said Mayor David Toups, pausing to reel in his fishing line from the middle of the flooded council chambers. “Rain, shine, or rising tides, we’re going to keep building houses until there’s nowhere left to stand.”
Residents have repeatedly voiced concerns that Addis’ rapid expansion has overwhelmed the area’s fragile drainage system, with some joking that new subdivisions should come with boat launches instead of 2 car garages.
The council briefly attempted to plan a drainage study, but the conversation was cut short when a group of jet skiers tore through the flooded chambers, swamping three councilmen’s boats and forcing an early adjournment.
Officials assured residents that concerns about drainage would be addressed “at some point,” possibly after the next few rounds of neighborhood approvals.
