Marksville was founded in 1794, when a trader named Marc Eliche set up shop and later donated land for the courthouse square. The town grew on a broad plateau in the middle of Avoyelles Parish, slightly above the surrounding floodplain, with the Red, Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers and their swamps and bayous on the parish's edges. That higher ground has mattered before: in the Great Flood of 1927, nearly all of Avoyelles went under except for a small area local people called the Island.
The Restoration Job does not do the work itself; it connects you with independent providers. Call (888) 317-9980 any hour of the day for help finding flood cleanup or leak repair in Marksville and nearby towns across Louisiana's Avoyelles Parish.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Marksville. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Gustav Left 16.67 Inches on Marksville
Hurricane Gustav made landfall on September 1, 2008, and slowed over Central Louisiana. Between September 1 and 4, the National Weather Service recorded 16.67 inches at Marksville, 14.06 at Bunkie and 11.15 at Moreauville. Radar estimates reached 15 to 25 inches over parts of Avoyelles and nearby parishes. The plateau that kept Marksville dry in 1927 offered little protection from rain falling directly on it.
Rain like that fills ditches and low lots, then works its way into slabs, garages and crawl spaces. It also tests every roof in town at once, so providers get busy fast. If you can, get standing water out and fans running on your own while you wait, and keep a record of everything you do.
August 2010: A Single Afternoon of Flash Flooding
Not every flood needs a hurricane. On August 18, 2010, thunderstorms stalled over Avoyelles Parish, and the water plant in Bunkie measured 14.55 inches by the end of the day. Homes flooded around Hessmer, a woman was rescued from her house on Large Road in Mansura, several streets there closed, and six or seven vehicles stalled in water between Hessmer and Mansura. Flooding also reached Cottonport, Plaucheville, Moreauville and Simmesport.
Summer downpours like that one develop with little warning, which is why it pays to know where your water main and breaker panel are and to keep valuables off the floor in rooms that have flooded before. Floodwater from streets and ditches should be treated as contaminated, so household items it touched usually need cleaning and disinfecting or disposal.
Hurricane Winds Across Avoyelles
Hurricane Laura's track in August 2020 carried damaging winds well inland, and the NWS listed Avoyelles Parish among the areas where fallen trees and wind damaged homes. Damage like that often lets in more water over the following week than the storm itself did, as rain finds its way through lifted shingles and punctured decking. Look in the attic after any major wind event, and if insulation is wet, plan on storm damage cleanup that removes it and dries the framing rather than waiting for stains to appear.
What to Expect From a Restoration Provider
- A walk-through with moisture readings to map wet areas, including under cabinets and behind baseboards.
- Water extraction and removal of saturated carpet pad, insulation and lower drywall.
- Cleaning and sanitizing anything touched by floodwater.
- Drying equipment left in place with daily readings, usually for several days.
- Documentation for insurance, followed by repairs once materials test dry.
Remember that standard homeowners coverage excludes rising water, so flood losses need a separate flood policy. Check your property's zone on the FEMA flood map before storm season.
Humid Summers and Mold Risk
Avoyelles Parish summers are long, hot and humid, and wet materials in a closed house can start growing mold in just a few days. Speed matters more than chemicals: get water out, open what needs opening, and run dehumidifiers. After a long power outage, ask a provider whether they can bring generator-powered drying equipment. If mold has already spread across drywall or framing, professional mold remediation with containment keeps spores from moving into clean rooms.
Where Callers in the Marksville Area Are
Calls come in from across Marksville, including:
- Downtown Marksville
- Courthouse Square
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- Mansura
- Hessmer
- Bunkie
- Cottonport
- Moreauville
- Plaucheville
- Simmesport
Common Questions
Marksville stayed dry in 1927. Is it safe from flooding now?
The plateau keeps Marksville above the river backwater that once covered most of Avoyelles Parish, but heavy rain is a separate risk. Gustav left more than 16 inches here in 2008, and a 2010 storm flooded homes in nearby Hessmer and Mansura in a single afternoon. Flood insurance is worth reviewing even on higher ground.
What should I throw away after floodwater gets into my house?
Floodwater from streets, ditches and bayous carries bacteria and debris, so soaked carpet, carpet pad, mattresses, upholstered furniture and wet insulation usually cannot be saved. Hard items like dishes and metal furniture can often be cleaned and disinfected. Photograph everything before discarding it, and keep a list for your insurance claim.
Which weather office covers Avoyelles Parish?
The National Weather Service in Lake Charles issues warnings for Avoyelles Parish, including flash flood warnings during slow-moving summer storms like the August 2010 event. Louisiana's GOHSEP shares statewide emergency information. Having alerts on your phone gives you time to move vehicles and valuables before water rises.