Des Allemands flood tubes vandalized

Renee Allemand

Parish workers had to build earthen levees on top of the vandalized flood control water tubes.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office is currently investigating the vandalism of flood control water tubes along Bayou Des Allemands. The vandalism couldn't have come at a worse time, since the area experienced rising water due to the affect of Hurricane Ike.

“Vandals took out two sections of the tubing and we had to build an earthen levee on top of it,” Renee Allemand, the parish's public information officer, said.

The two sections of tubing, which the parish rents to protect Des Allemands residents from flooding, cost $20,000.
The Sheriff's Office says the tubes were intentionally damaged - likely by the use of knives.

If anyone has information concerning these acts of vandalism, they are asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 985-783-6807 or 985-783-1145.

The elongated flexible tubes, which may be quickly stacked and filled with water without the use of sandbags,  forms a barrier to protect property prior to the onset of a flood.
These temporary engineered interlocking flexible tubes are then drained of water, which flows back in the bayou when the flood subsides. The result is a reusable system which protects property without the need of sandbags.