Thursday, March 9, 2023

Corps activates flood procedures

NEW ORLEANS – The Mississippi River at the Carrollton Gage in New Orleans has risen above 11 feet, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' New Orleans District to activate its Phase I flood-fight proceduresCoordinating with the local levee authorities, the NOLA district will begin patrolling levees along the Mississippi River twice a week until the water level drops below 11 feet at the Carrollton Gage. Phase I is a proactive measure that's triggered when the river reaches 11 feet and is forecasted to continue to rise. The increased patrols are designed to ensure the Corps and levee authorities are able to respond quickly to problem areas that may develop along the levee system. The National Weather Service’s latest forecast shows the river cresting at 12.1 feet on March 21 for a few days before starting to fall. Levee restrictions during high water The Corps and state have established distances for certain types of work that can adversely affect the integrity of levees and structures. All work that may impact Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) levees, which includes transport of heavy loads over the levee, disturbance of grass cover, or subsurface work within 1,500 feet of the levee, is prohibited when the Mississippi River elevation reaches 11 feet or more at the Carrollton Gage. Waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis. Permit holders are advised to contact their local levee districts for detailed information and to monitor river stages and forecasts by calling (504) 862-2461 or checking www.rivergages.com. (USACE 03/09/23)

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