As Water Inches Closer, an Agonizing Wait in Louisiana

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 creeping toward the area, about 45 miles west of Baton Rouge.