Rosamae Neil Smith
April 14, 2008
Charles "Charlie" Herbert Rice Jr.
April 16, 2008
Minor flooding has occurred along the waterfront in Morgan City because of rising water in the Atchafalaya River, but no water has reached into city streets, said U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Rick Paciorka in Morgan City.
Closed floodgates at Morgan City and Berwick are keeping those towns dry, Paciorka said.
“Most of the area down here is being protected by the floodgates,” he said.
A small amount of flooding occurred on low-lying dock areas along the Morgan City waterfront where boats are moored.
Flood warnings will remain in effect until the Atchafalaya River dips below four feet. The river reached seven feet Monday morning and is expected to crest at seven-and-a-half feet on April 22.
Rising water in the Mississippi River caused the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to open part of the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish on April 11 to forestall possible flooding from the river. The Atchafalaya River branches off from the Mississippi east of Alexandria, but the amount of water flowing into the Atchafalaya is limited by the Old River Control Structure.
Workers open the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway in hopes of alleviating flooding along the Mississippi River. * Photo couresty of Duvall Arthur Jr.
