Meet Floody: The Alligator Bringing Flood Awareness to Life

At Forerunner, we love hearing about creative approaches to flood risk communication. Flood awareness isn’t the easiest topic to get people excited about, especially for kids, but whole-community education can be impactful for encouraging thoughtful decision-making. Marrill McKarry, Coastal Zone and Floodplain Manager in St. James Parish, Louisiana, found a way to change that with Floody and a children’s book that makes flood risk education fun and memorable.

The alligator mascot Floody isn’t just a character; he’s a community ambassador, a teaching tool, and a local celebrity. With his St. James Parish raincoat, white boots, and a mission to keep everyone informed about flood safety, Floody is helping families—and entire communities—better understand their role in flood preparedness.

The Origins of Floody and His Story‍

What sparked the idea for an alligator mascot and a children’s book about flood risk? For Marrill, the inspiration came from a mix of professional challenges and personal passions.

“I’ve always noticed opportunities for permitting education,” he explained. “Often, people don’t know what they’re supposed to do. At the same time, I’ve got a passion for education—I used to work in children’s ministry—and for my community. I started thinking, How can I involve kids to better the community? Then it hit me: kids can be advocates for their parents.”

Floody’s mission began as a way to make flood awareness and permit rules accessible to families. The idea was simple yet effective: educate children, who will then nudge their parents to follow the rules. “If Mom and Dad are doing something like installing a water heater, I want kids to ask, ‘Hey, did you get a permit? Floody says it has to be elevated!’”

As for Floody’s gator identity? That was inspired by Louisiana’s natural landscape and culture. “We’re coastal, with wetlands and flood zones, and the welcome center already has an alligator statue. Plus, kids love reptiles! Floody felt like the perfect fit,” Marrill noted.

Creating Floody and the Book

Building Floody and writing the book was a labor of love and teamwork. “I designed the book myself using Canva, but the content came from several departments in the parish. I got input from permitting, the call center, and other departments. It was important to involve the whole team.”

The costume, though, presented some challenges. “It wasn’t quite the right size—it was made for someone shorter. But we made it work with white boots and a St. James Parish raincoat. Now Floody looks like he’s ready to walk through the swamp in a storm!” he explained.

The book was equally thoughtful. It’s designed to encourage families to read together and learn about flooding and permitting in a way that’s fun and easy to understand. Thanks to partnerships like with Energy of Louisiana, the book often comes with extras like flashlights to make the experience even more exciting for kids.

A Community Icon

Floody made his debut during Louisiana Flood Awareness Week in August 2023, bringing a creative touch to community engagement. The St. James Parish Government employees wore blue to mark the occasion, while the Coastal Zone and Planning Department introduced Floody, their new flood safety mascot. In a Facebook post, they shared that Floody would be visiting local schools to teach children about flood safety, disaster preparedness, creating a family emergency plan, and staying safe in various situations. They also mentioned that Floody would explain how the various departments in St. James Parish contribute to preparation and recovery efforts.

Since then, Floody has become a fixture at schools, community events, and even nursing homes—where one resident affectionately calls him her boyfriend! He hands out books, stickers, and smiles, always encouraging people to think about flood safety. From pumpkin patches to holiday events, Floody is out there building connections and spreading awareness. “People take pictures, post them online, and remember him. When they think of Floody, they think of flood preparation—and that’s the goal.”

Lessons Learned and Future Goals

This project has taught its creator valuable lessons about community engagement and creativity. “It’s all about the little details. Floody wears a Santa jacket for Christmas and patriotic gear for the 4th of July. Those touches make him memorable and keep people excited,” Marrill said.

Marrill’s advice for other floodplain managers? “Follow your heart and just go for it. Even if you have to start small, you never know how far an idea can go. There’s no such thing as too much awareness about flooding.”

As for what’s next, Floody has big plans. Schools with art and media programs are teaming up to create videos starring Floody, bringing kids into the process of flood awareness education. “It’s not just about preparing for today—it’s about preparing for the next 10 or even 100 years.”

With Floody leading the charge, this Louisiana community is turning flood awareness into a shared mission, proving that even serious topics can be tackled with creativity and teamwork.