Agonising wait in Louisiana as water inches closer

The final wave of holdouts has mostly packed up and left this Louisiana town as water from the swollen Atchafalaya River has inched toward their homes, with their frustration and hope painted on signs posted outside. "Nothing left worth stealing," read one. "Stay strong. Believe," urged another. "Our hearts are broken, but our spirits are not. We will come HOME," are the words Kip and Gwen Bacquet spray-painted on the plastic liner that covers the entire first floor of their house. Most had left Butte LaRose days earlier amid high tension as the water continued its trek toward the area, about 72 km west of Baton Rouge. In St Martin's Parish, Louisiana, a mandatory evacuation was ordered to take effect on Saturday, only to be pushed back at least two days after officials said the river would crest on May 27 at a lower level than previously thought. Meanwhile, communities along the Mississippi River in Mississippi wait for the flood waters to recede. The delayed evacuation in St Martin's Parish, Louisiana is likely to be a source of both optimism and further frustration for residents who have heard the same grim forecast for days on end. Once the water comes, residents may not be able to return for weeks. They will know today whether officials will reinstate the evacuation order. from / Gulf News