Red Chute is an unincorporated community of about 7,000 people stretched along US 80/79 between Bossier City and Eastwood, with Interstate 20 running along its southern edge. It has grown steadily since it first appeared as a census-designated place in 1990, and most of what stands here today is single-family subdivisions, manufactured homes and small commercial strips. Because it is not a city, the parish, not a municipal government, oversees things like building permits and drainage standards for new development.
For callers dealing with a leak, a storm-damaged roof or water on the floor, The Restoration Job offers a free 24/7 phone line. Dial (888) 317-9980 and you'll be connected with an independent restoration provider that works in Red Chute and the rest of Bossier Parish.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Red Chute. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Five Days of Rain in March 2016
Some of the largest totals from the March 8 to 12, 2016 storm in northwest Louisiana were measured within a few miles of Red Chute. The National Weather Service recorded 18.84 inches at Barksdale Air Force Base and 15.35 inches at Koran in southern Bossier Parish, and listed Red Chute Bayou among the waterways that left their banks. Roads were closed and high-water rescues took place across the region.
At about 207 feet above sea level, the community is not low by Louisiana standards, but steady rain on saturated ground still finds its way into homes through low thresholds, slab edges and garage doors. If water came in from outside, treat it as floodwater: wear gloves and boots, keep children and pets out, and expect wet carpet and the lower part of drywall to come out. Flood damage to the structure is covered only by a separate flood policy, not standard homeowners insurance.
Manufactured Homes and RVs: Specific Weak Points
Manufactured housing is part of the local mix, and it handles water differently from a site-built house. The floor is usually particleboard or OSB decking over a belly wrap, with plumbing and ductwork running underneath. A supply line leak under the home can fill the belly wrap like a bag, staying hidden until the floor softens. Water from a roof seam or a damaged vent runs along ceiling panels and down the inside of walls.
- Look under the home for a sagging or dripping underbelly after any leak.
- Check soft spots near the water heater closet, bathroom and kitchen sink.
- Keep heat tape and skirting in good shape before winter freezes.
- After wind, inspect roof seams and vents before the next rain arrives.
Swollen particleboard flooring rarely recovers once it has absorbed water, so water extraction and drying should start as early as possible to limit how much decking needs replacing.
The April 2018 Tornado Path Along US 80
Shortly after midnight on April 14, 2018, an EF1 tornado with peak winds near 110 mph traveled more than 22 miles from southwest Shreveport into Bossier Parish. In the Red Chute area, it brought a large tree down onto a travel trailer at the Hillcrest Mobile Home and RV Park, killing a two-year-old child, then continued northeast through the Country Place subdivision near Eastwood before passing west of Princeton.
That storm is a reminder that the most serious danger from wind is to people, not property. Once everyone is safe, the property damage that follows a tornado is mostly torn roofing, fallen trees and broken windows that let rain inside. Storm damage cleanup generally starts with tarping and board-up, then moves to drying any rooms that took water.
Keeping Mold Out of Newer Subdivision Homes
Newer houses are built tight to save energy, and that also means moisture from a leak has fewer ways to escape. A slow drip from a refrigerator line, a failed washing machine hose or an overflowing attic air handler pan can soak drywall and insulation without obvious signs for days. In a humid Bossier Parish summer, that is long enough for mold to start on the paper face of drywall.
Find and stop the source first. Then dry the area with measured readings rather than guessing. If growth is already visible or a musty smell lingers after drying, a provider handling mold work will contain the area before removing damaged material so spores are not spread through the HVAC system.
Neighborhoods and Nearby Communities
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- Bossier City
- Eastwood
- Haughton
- Princeton
- Benton
Frequently Asked Questions
Red Chute isn't a city. Who do I contact about drainage or rebuilding permits?
Unincorporated areas fall under Bossier Parish government, so permits for repairs and questions about drainage generally go through the parish rather than a city hall. Check with the parish permits office before major rebuilding after a flood, since some repairs to flood-damaged structures can trigger additional requirements. Your restoration provider can usually tell you which parts of the work need a permit.
Can a water-damaged manufactured home floor be dried instead of replaced?
Sometimes, if the leak is caught early and the decking has not swollen or delaminated. Particleboard that has absorbed water and puffed up usually has to be cut out and replaced. The belly wrap underneath also needs to be opened and drained if water collected there. A provider can test the decking with a moisture meter and probe for soft spots to decide.
What should I do first if a storm knocks a tree onto my house?
Get everyone out of the affected rooms, avoid downed power lines and call 911 if anyone is hurt or there is a gas smell. Then report the damage to your insurer and photograph it. Tree removal and tarping often need to happen before interior drying can start. Many restoration providers coordinate with tree services so rain does not keep entering the house.