Starting next week, a four-part webinar series will inform Calcasieu Parish residents on the steps and policies being done to improve drainage, along with the issues that have led to today’s drainage problems.

The “Let’s Talk Drainage” online series is being hosted by the Calcasieu Police Jury’s Engineering and Public Works division, along with the parish Regional Watershed Management. The first series is set for 9:30-11 a.m. May 11. Residents can hear what work has already been done to improve drainage. Additional sessions are scheduled for June, August and September.

Terry Frelot, assistant parish engineering and public works division director, said the widespread impact of flooding makes watching these webinars even more important for residents.

“To effectively plan for floods, you must first understand why the flooding occurs,” he said.

Along with the educational aspect, these webinars will also explain the costs of mitigating drainage problems and come up with the best solutions to address the issues.

Speakers for the initial session include Allen Wainwright, parish engineering and public works director; Patrick Landry, with the Louisiana Watershed Initiative; and Jeanne Arceneaux Hornsby, engineering director for C.H. Fenstermaker and Associates.

Other sessions are set for 9:30-11 a.m. June 15, Aug. 3 and Sept. 7. Topics will include drainage mitigation programs and policies.

To register online for the webinars, visit eventbrite.com/e/calcasieu-parish-tickets-328363683617.

Residents who are unable to watch the live sessions can view them later.

For more, call Calcasieu Parish at 721-3700.