![Midwest floods, local rains swell lower Mississippi River](http://townsquare.media/site/182/files/2019/03/GettyImages-485148582.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Midwest floods, local rains swell lower Mississippi River
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers' New Orleans office is asking to do something unprecedented: open a historic flood control structure above New Orleans for the second time in one year.
This comes as floods across the Midwest have caused billions of dollars of damage to homes, farms and other businesses.
The National Weather Service says continued rains in the Midwest and Ohio Valley and floodwaters from the upper Mississippi River are heading down the Mississippi. In addition, storms are expected to dump 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 centimeters) of rain in Louisiana and Arkansas.
Corps spokesman Matt Roe says the New Orleans office is asking the Corps' Mississippi Valley Division for authority to reopen the Bonnet Carré (BAHN-ee KEHR-ee) spillway to relieve stress on New Orleans levees. The agency has scheduled a Thursday afternoon news conference.
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![Louisiana Essentials You Can Find Cheap for Amazon Prime Day](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Amazon-Prime-Day.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Breaux Bridge Man Drowns After Car Plunges into Pond](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-16-copy.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana to be Prominently Featured at Republican National Convention](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-RNC-LOGO.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Man Indicted On 7 Counts in Murder, Kidnapping Case](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Screenshot-2024-07-12-at-4.10.22-PM.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Acadiana Single Mom Gifted Car By Lafayette Non Profit](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-161.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Two Arrested for Church Point, Louisiana ATM Theft](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2022/04/attachment-jake-allen-7Q1lhdgbyNU-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![CEO of Louisiana Animal Charity Arrested for Child Pornography and Animal Sexual Abuse](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-16.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Man Robbed at Gunpoint in His Own Home](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/01/attachment-Untitled-design-43.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![4th of July Firework Laws for Louisiana and Acadiana](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2013/12/Fireworks-Getty.jpg?w=980&q=75)