The Atchafalya River in St. Martin Parish is expected to rise nearly a foot a day until it crests at an estimated 27 feet on Tuesday. Jonathan Brazzell, with the National Weather Service, says the Atchafalaya at Butte La Rose has risen only about a foot since Saturday's opening of the Morganza Spillway. Butte La Rose, Happytown and Sherburne face a mandatory evacuation order starting on Saturday. shelter  for  displaced   residents will open at Breaux Bridge High School's gymnasium on Saturday. Brazzell says they expect the Atchafalya River to rise another six feet.

There's better news for residents living in Vidalia and Concordia Parish as the Mississippi River is expected to crest at a lower level than expected. Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland says the National Weather Service changed the crest from 63 feet to 62.5 feet. Copeland says Vidalia's riverfront is underwater, but not one drop of water has made it into any of their buildings thanks to sandbags and Hesco baskets.

Assumption Parish public school students will not have to attend classes next week because of concerns over potential flooding threats posed by the Mississippi River. The school board voted yesterday to end the school year on Friday.  Final exams for high school students are today and tomorrow instead of next week.  Middle school students are exempt from finals this year.

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