JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WGNO) — The Jefferson Parish Public Works Department is looking at ways to improve the parish's drainage. More than 500 homes and businesses in Jefferson Parish flooded during Hurricane Francine. The storm caused several of the parish’s pumps to fail, including two at the Duncan Canal Pump Station in Kenner. An electric starter had failed, and one pump overheated. “We went in and checked out that same apparatus and replaced anything that we thought needed to be replaced,” explained Jefferson Parish Public Works Director Mark Drewes. “So, we've taken that step to make sure we don't have an identical failure to what we had at that pump station.” Kenner residents impacted by Hurricane Francine can now apply for federal assistance One way the public works department is working to improve drainage is by updating the drainage master plan. “It's all about getting a good base model in that will help us, you know, to determine that, hey, what projects we selected actually are going to make the improvements that we believe they will,” said Drewes. Some of those improvements are underway, like the construction of two pump stations on Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie to improve flood control near the 17th Street Canal. Jefferson Parish and Kenner officials are also looking to construct a pump station in Kenner’s Seton Parc Neighborhood. New Orleans on the map in video game app Atlas Earth “Good,” said Kenner resident Michael Oubre. “I'm all for that, certainly. Especially for people on the other side of Grand Lake Boulevard. They tend to flood more than we do on the levee side.” Drewes says a portion of the funding will come from sales taxes and millages. “And we're always looking at federal grants, and that's a possibility,” said Drewes. The East Bank plan, which is a part of the drainage master plan, is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Rookie Jayden Daniels nearly flawless for Commanders in 38-33 win over Bengals Lower humidity later in the week Helene likely to strengthen rapidly once in the eastern Gulf Ohio woman has 'miracle' baby after husband's tragic death on honeymoon Volunteers want sheriff to pick up human remains found in desert