While the nation is bracing for historic
flooding as a result of heavy rains and winter runoff from the
states bordering the Mississippi River, St. Landry Parish should
be fine.
A flood watch is currently in effect for neighboring Pointe
Coupee Parish as well as most of the parishes along the
Mississippi River, however.
Lisa Vidrine, executive director of the St. Landry Parish Office
of Emergency Preparedness, said the Mississippi's problems are
not expected to affect the Atchafalaya River this far north.
While the two rivers join farther south, any backup is not
expected to reach here.
"I've not received any warnings. I'm pretty sure we will be
fine," Vidrine said.
That feeling was echoed by Krotz Springs Mayor Gary Soileau,
who also serves as director of the Port of Krotz Springs. The
Atchafalaya River at Krotz Springs was at 21.4 feet Monday.
"Our flood stage is 37 feet. They are projecting the river
will crest April 8 at 30 feet, so we are well below the flood
stage," Soileau said.
In a report issued Monday by AccuWeather.com, Justin Roberti
said larger rivers will continue to crest upstream through the
early part of the week and a large storm expected later in the
week will further aggravate the situation.
"Floodwaters continue to flow downstream into the lower
Mississippi River Valley. Residents and businesses should
continue to monitor the situation as historic flooding is
expected," Roberti said.
He predicted the Mississippi Valley will see the worst
flooding in the 80 years that modern flood records have been
kept.
"The Mississippi River at Natchez, Miss., is forecast to
exceed its flood stage of 48 feet by Tuesday, and could rise an
additional five feet or more by Sunday, April 6," Roberti said.
The National Weather Service in New Orleans said the
Mississippi River at Red River Landing, which affects Pointe
Coupee, East Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes, was at
48.5 feet Monday, already a half foot above flood stage.
In its flood warning, the NWS predicted the river will
continue rising.