Louisiana Floods Impact Horsemen

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Photo: Courtesy of Don Stevens
Rain clouds in Louisiana at Delta Downs Aug. 17, 2016

As trainer Sam Breaux evacuated horses from his flooded farm near New Iberia, La., he witnessed a life-saving rescue of a pick-up truck driver.

While there have been no reported deaths of horsemen or Thoroughbreds during the deadly storms that left widespread flooding in Louisiana and claimed the lives of at least 11 people, the severe weather has forced racing cancellations, put horsemen in some dangerous situations, damaged property, and necessitated a lot of extra work.

Breaux, currently the second-leading trainer at Evangeline Downs, had to evacuate 69 horses Aug. 13 from his 70-acre farm and training center when water quickly rose to two feet throughout his stable area after more than 20 inches of rain fell in the area. Breaux said the evacuated Thoroughbreds are largely his racehorses, while his mares were safe on higher ground on his property.

With all 12 of his farm employees and three additional workers helping, a high-clearance cane tractor was used to haul out trailer after trailer of horses as the road that provides access was covered in water for two or three days. The trailers were pulled to higher ground where they could be hooked up to a pick-up truck and hauled about three miles to SugArena at the Acadiana Fairgrounds.

During the evacuation effort, Breaux witnessed a life-threatening accident.

"We were loading up horses and this lady comes where we were parking our trucks. She kept driving, passed over the bridge, then all of a sudden on the other side she was floating. She lost power in her pick-up truck and everything," Breaux said. "It just so happened that an airboat was coming. They weren’t able to open her doors because of the pressure of the water but they were able to get her out the back window of the pickup truck."

Breaux said the next time they arrived back at the area the pick-up truck had been completely washed away into a ditch. He said four other vehicles also had been washed away near his property. He can’t recall a flood of this level in the area.

"It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Highway 90 under water," Breaux said.

The New York Times reported that as floodwaters receded in Southern Louisiana Aug. 17, door-to-door searches of properties were being conducted. State officials said at least 11 people had died in the flooding that saw an estimated 30,000 people be rescued and damaged 40,000 homes.

So far, area horsemen's stories have not been as life-altering, but the rain and flooding has resulted in considerable hardship. Evangeline Downs had no flooding but canceled racing Aug. 12 and 13 because of the heavy rains. The Opelousas, La., track plans to race the evening of Aug. 17 with no turf racing.

Many horses have been displaced. Breax said besides his 69 horses, the SugArena has welcomed another 20 or 30 evacuated racehorses.

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association president Tom Early said his farm avoided the worst of the flooding but still he estimated that floodwaters covered 47 of his farm's 58 acres. He noted the flooding will impact available feed and hay for horsemen.

Early said a lot of horse owners with "backyard horses" were impacted. The Lamar Dixon Expo Center near Gonzales, La., has provided shelter for thousands of people and welcomed hundreds of animals including displaced horses, pets, and livestock.

In his new location, Breaux is adjusting. He's using the covered arena to exercise each of his horses for about 10 minutes a day. He hopes to have the horses back home by Aug. 20 or 21.