River Watch
Gov. Jindal declares emergency for rising river
Posted: Apr 28, 2011 2:26 PM by Russell Jones
Updated: Apr 28, 2011 2:26 PM
BATON ROUGE - Governor Jindal declared a state of emergency today in Louisiana to prepare for possible flooding as the Mississippi river swells past flood stage.
Jindal made the announcement from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness around noon.
Storms and heavy rain up-river have already caused flooding in Missouri and Arkansas, and forecasters have predicted the Mississippi will crest at Vicksburg at its highest point since 1937 on May 13.
In his declaration, Jindal said the National Weather Service had issued flood alerts along the length of the Mississippi, and predicted the river will crest well above flood stage in many locations.
Jindal also said the State Penitentiary at Angola had begun implementing flood protection measures to protect inmates, staff and residents, and that several northern Louisiana parishes had already declared states of emergency to prepare for possible flooding.
Stephanie Ryan will have more on preparations tonight on News 2 at 6.
