Relief is on its way tonight for people still flooded in the Spanish Lake basin area.

Crews cut into Alligator Bayou Road today in hopes of draining water into Bayou Manchac and away from homes.

Ascension Parish officials said the drainage project is working, but it’s going to take some time for the people to notice.

The 40-foot-wide cut along the road is the latest effort in attempting to drain the 40 to 60 thousand acres of standing water still in the area, along with the water pumps still moving some 130 thousand gallons of water per minute.

Frank Bonifay owns land along the area and knows damage is extensive. Bonifay said, "We are looking at 750 or so homes still underwater holding water and it will likely still have water the next 3 to 60 days."

Many residents in the area still have water inside. They are hoping the extra effort by parish officials will speed up the process, but the only thing they can do now is wait for the water to dissipate.