morganza spillway

Congressman Charles Boustany has sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture requesting a major disaster declaration for Louisiana.

Rising water on the Mississippi River and the flooding of the spillways will create ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

The opening of the Morganza Spillway could mean good news for crawfishermen who harvest in the Atchafalaya Basin.

The Army Corps of Engineers opened up 28 bays of the 350 bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway yesterday, and more bays are set to be opened today.

With the ever increasing level of the Mississippi River, and yesterday's opening of part of the Bonnet Carre spillway all eyes in Louisiana are on when the state will open the Morganza Spillway.  Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany hopes citizens will stay safe.

It's still in the decision making stage, but the Army Corps of Engineers says the Morganza Spillway could be opened as early as Saturday.   Governor Bobby Jindal says opening the spillway means sections of several parishes could get flooding of between five and 25 feet above ground level.  Congressman Jeff Landry hopes that citizens will prepare early.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says property owners that are in the National Flood Insurance Program are covered for possible losses from opening the Morganza spillway.

KPEL's Jeremy Lawrence visits with Senator David Vitter about the potential flooding issues dealing with the Morganza and Bonnet Carre Spillways, and also how he's pressing President Obama concerning the drilling industry.

State Senator Freddie Mills of St. Martin parish says his parish continues to ready itself as flood waters from the opening of the Morganza spillway will likely mean that lower lying areas of the parish could experience flooding.  Mills says he wants citizens to remain informed.

The waters of the Mississippi River continue to rise and the Army Corps of Engineers began the opening of the Bonnet Carre spillway this morning as a way to alleviate ever rising waters.

The flooding on the Mississippi River will mean problems for Louisiana, but just how many issues remains to be seen.  Governor Bobby Jindal has asked for National Guard support, sandbagging is going on feverishly and the Army Corps Of Engineers is monitoring everything.