AP and staff reports

JONESVILLE, La. – Floodwaters that submerged rural roads, fields, farms and some rural homes in Catahoula Parish are now subsiding, although several roads have yet to be reopened.

Those living in isolated areas near Lake Louis and Sicily Island are still using boats to get to and from their homes, said Debra Renda of the Catahoula Office of Emergency Preparedness.

&uot;I live on the Ratcliff Road, and the water’s still deep in my house on the bottom floor,&uot; Anita Ratcliff said Tuesday. &uot;I’m 5 feet tall, and the water is still chest deep.&uot;

Ratcliff said that she and her husband, who has cancer, had to evacuate almost three weeks ago and have been living with her brother-in-law on Louisiana 8 near Sicily Island ever since.

The Ratcliffs were only able to save a few appliances before waters rose into their house, and they do not have flood insurance. &uot;It’s sad,&uot; Ratcliff said, &uot;but we’re just taking it one day at a time.&uot;