Swamp People: CHAOS Before the Hurricane Hits (Season 16)

Tropical Storm Strengthens as Hurricane Approaches Louisiana

A tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico is intensifying rapidly, with weather experts predicting landfall within the next 48 hours. The storm is expected to reach Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane, with winds exceeding 100 mph. As the storm approaches, all eyes are on the region, and authorities are preparing for its impact. We’ll continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds.

In the midst of this brewing storm, King of the Swamp, Troy Landry, is racing against time. With over 750 tags remaining out of his 900, Troy knows that the hurricane could force him to halt his operations for days or even weeks. Determined to fill his boat before the weather worsens, Troy and his deckhand, Pickle, head to one of Louisiana’s most popular parks—Big Port Point.

“I love this place. It’s beautiful,” says Troy as they arrive. But the clock is ticking. Despite the beauty, Troy regrets waiting too long to return, as he’s heard complaints from park staff about an abundance of giant alligators in the area. The park, which spans over 6,000 acres in the Atchafalaya Basin, has been home to increasing numbers of aggressive gators, particularly as a storm approaches.

“There’s been a lot of reports about big, aggressive alligators, and we’re just a few days out from a massive storm,” explains Troy. The rapidly dropping barometric pressure caused by the hurricane serves as a signal for alligators to go into a feeding frenzy before their usual food sources are impacted by the storm.

Troy and Pickle are on a mission to clear the park of these dangerous creatures. As they set their lines in the late evening, the lake is teeming with alligators. “Look at all of them,” Troy says. The duo is working quickly, but the abundance of alligators presents a challenge.

As the night wears on, they encounter some of the park’s largest and most aggressive gators, capturing them one after another. “These alligators are hungry and desperate, and they’re getting more aggressive as food becomes scarce,” notes Pickle. With each successful catch, the boat fills up, but they’re racing against the clock as the hurricane’s winds and rain get closer.

By dawn, the boat is packed with massive alligators, but Troy and Pickle are concerned that the boat might be too overloaded. “We might need a bigger boat. We’ve got so many gators, and the storm is coming fast,” says Troy. Despite the overwhelming success in capturing the alligators, they are worried about the long journey ahead to keep the meat fresh and the boat afloat.

After several tense moments—including a close call when a large alligator turns aggressive—they finally fill the boat and make their way back to their base. “We’re just trying to get it done before the storm hits,” Troy says. “We’ve caught what we came for, and now we need to get back safely.”

As they head back, Troy reflects on the challenges of managing the alligator population in the park. “We should have come sooner. The food supply has dwindled, and the gators are getting more aggressive,” he says.

After a tense ride back, Troy and Pickle return to safety, having successfully filled their tags and captured numerous alligators. “We did what we came to do,” Troy says, relieved. “Now it’s time to prepare for the storm.”

The storm continues to grow stronger, and with its landfall imminent, the region braces for impact. Troy and Pickle’s mission may have been a success, but the danger from the storm is far from over. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.