WBRZ - Baton Rouge

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• Corps completes $3 billion flood system

  June 15, 2013 5:44 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Army Corps of Engineers says it has completed all permanent structures in a $3 billion system of levees and floodwalls around the west Bank of New Orleans and Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Charles parishes. Ceremonies are planned Monday to mark completion of the West Bank and... more »

• Livingston bracing for high flood insurance costs Play Video

  May 22, 2013 5:53 PM

  LIVINGSTON - New homeowners may have to dig deep into their wallets to cover the costs of flood insurance. The new insurance prices come after the Biggert-Waters Reform Act was passed in 2012, to phase out current subsidized insurance rates and help bring the federal flood insurance program out... more »

• Mississippi River floods north Louisiana farmland

  May 6, 2013 3:45 PM

  LAKE PROVIDENCE - The Mississippi River is again flooding about 8,500 acres of farmland in East Carroll Parish's Bunches Bend, which had a huge levee failure in 2011 that wiped out $10 million in crops. The News-Star reports the 2011 breach on the levee's northern end was fixed, but a... more »

• Crack found in levee during routine check Play Video

  April 30, 2013 5:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Army Corps of Engineer inspectors found a minor crack in the levee near the USS Kidd today during a routine inspection. The inspection, part of the "Phase One Flood Fight," is triggered when the river reaches a certain level, but the Corps says it's no cause for... more »

• Streets flooded after strong storms move through

  April 24, 2013 10:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Flooding on numerous streets in Baton Rouge caused traffic problems after strong storms moved through the capital area this morning. Click here to see a gallery of flood pics from around East Baton Rouge Parish. The Department of Transportation and Development briefly closed I-110 due... more »

• Deadline looms for Isaac flood insurance claims

  April 17, 2013 8:12 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A deadline is approaching for Louisiana policyholders to file flood insurance claims over damage from Hurricane Isaac last year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says most policyholders with the National Flood Insurance Program have until April 22 to complete their proof-of-loss claims. FEMA says the... more »

• LaPlace residents brace for flood insurance hike Play Video

  March 28, 2013 6:28 PM

  LAPLACE - Homeowners in St. John the Baptist Parish are concerned new FEMA flood maps will send flood insurance rates up 25 percent each year. The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act signed into law by President Obama last year allows rates to increase on certain properties in flood zones... more »

• Ascension to get increased flood protection

  March 25, 2013 7:50 AM

  GONZALES - Ascension Parish officials hope two major drainage projects will provide parish residents with increased flood protection. A floodgate, which will help alleviate backwater flooding from the Amite River, is expected to be finished next spring, while a sixth pump at Marvin Braud could go online within the next... more »

• Army Corps reports on 2011 Mississippi River flood

  February 25, 2013 2:11 PM

  MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the near-historic Mississippi River flood of 2011 caused $2.8 billion in damage and tested the system of levees, reservoirs and floodways like no other flood before it. A report released today said the Mississippi River and Tributaries system worked as... more »

• Extension to file Hurricane Isaac claims

  February 22, 2013 11:07 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Property owners with flood insurance policies whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have an additional 60 days to file claims for their flood-related losses. Policy owners now have until April 22 to complete their proof of loss claims. The National Flood Insurance Program says... more »

• President Obama signs disaster declaration for La.

  February 22, 2013 10:43 AM

  WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Barak Obama signed a major disaster declaration today for the state of Louisiana, freeing up federal funds to help pay for damage caused by flooding and storms last month. The funding will be available to state and eligible local governments, as well as certain nonprofit... more »

• Neighborhoods remain flooded despite pumping station Play Video

  January 29, 2013 5:38 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE - Two weeks after a major rain event, residents along Bluff Rd. in the Alligator Bayou area are still flooding. Last Friday, two temporary pumps were installed to clear some of the mess, pumping water from Frog Bayou to Bayou Manchac. Drainage officials report the water has gone... more »

• Deadline extended for Isaac claims

  January 23, 2013 7:19 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana property owners with flood insurance policies whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have another 30 days to file claims for their flood losses. Policy owners now have until Feb. 21 to complete their proof of loss. The National Flood Insurance... more »

• Swollen waterways to reopen at noon

  January 21, 2013 10:49 AM

  GONZALES - Authorities in Ascension and Livingston parishes announced waterways in both areas will reopen for recreational boat traffic at noon today. The rivers closed after heavy rain and flooding swelled local waterways to unsafe levels. Several parishes around the state delcared disasters after the flooding damaged bridges,... more »

• People with flood damage asked to call it in

  January 15, 2013 10:35 AM

  DENHAM SPRINGS - Emergency officials asked Livingston Parish residents to take time from their cleanup efforts and call in any water damage they received from recent flooding. The parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness needs the information to apply for any public assistance that could be made... more »

• Bridge repairs going on after flooding

  January 14, 2013 12:45 PM

  HOLDEN - Public works crews started repairs to bridges damaged by high water in Livingston Parish. Crews went out this morning to the Frank Ballard Road Bridge, one of several in the Holden area which were damaged. Parish DPW crews said the bridge floated about four feet off its... more »

• Roads, waterways still closed in Ascension Parish

  January 14, 2013 10:40 AM

  GONZALES - Ascension Parish authorities continued to deal with swamped roads and high river levels after heavy flooding last week and more rain this past weekend. Waterways are still closed to recreational watercraft until they drop back down to safe levels again. Here's a list of current road... more »

• Livingston Parish residents fight flooding, more rain

  January 14, 2013 10:27 AM

  DENHAM SPRINGS - Livingston Parish residents continued cleanup efforts after flooding last week and more rain this weekend. The parish declared a disaster after heavy rains last week flooded low-lying portions of the parish and swelled river levels. Gov. Bobby Jindal also issued an emergency declaration for the state... more »

• Popular Maurepas restaurant under water again

  January 13, 2013 8:59 PM

  MAUREPAS - Walking through Val's Marina in rain boots is déjà vu for Brett Bell. Water is every where you look, just like after Hurricane Isaac. "It's kinda surreal. We didn't know the water was gonna get back in," says Bell's wife and restaurant co-owner Nicole. The... more »

• Water threatens popular Livingston restaurant Play Video

  January 11, 2013 10:36 PM

  LIVINGSTON - Water is threatening the livelihood of residents and business owners in Livingston Parish. Val's Marina, a well-known restaurant, was flooded out during Hurricane Isaac. After a week of rain, water is inching closer and closer to their doorstep. WBRZ's Rosa Flores does a walk-through of the... more »

• Satsuma begins cleanup efforts during flood Play Video

  January 11, 2013 5:42 PM

  SATSUMA - Flooding in a Satsuma neighborhood has kept residents from leaving their homes for three days. The neighborhood backs up to Hornsby Creek, a waterway that's normally 10 feet wide. Today, water fills yards and residents fear water coming into their homes. "Unfortunately it's getting higher and... more »

• Mayor Holden signs disaster declaration for EBR

  January 11, 2013 3:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Mayor-President Kip Holden officially declared a local disaster for East Baton Rouge Parish after two days of rainfall and localized flooding. The declaration activates parish emergency response plans and other activities. Holden's office noted that while the rain has stopped, the Amite and Comite rivers... more »

• Flooding continues in Ascension Parish Play Video

  January 10, 2013 5:42 PM

  DARROW - The water in many Ascension Parish neighborhoods like Pelican Point has subsided enough for trucks or other large vehicles to traverse the roads. The same cannot be said for Darrow, a few miles south. "I had a little patch of grass. Now you don't see any grass.... more »

• Statewide emergency declared for flooding

  January 10, 2013 4:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency today for Louisiana in the wake of severe weather and flooding around the state. Jindal said Acadia, Avoyelles, Concordia, East Carroll, Evangeline, Livingston and St. Landry parishes have already declared states of emergency to help residents deal with... more »

• Closures due to Jan. 10 severe weather

  January 10, 2013 10:32 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Severe weather swamped already-flooded parishes this morning, forcing closed more roads and schools. Here's a list of updated closings for Jan. 10: SCHOOL CLOSINGS - Pointe Coupee Parish Public Schools: closing at noon - St. Mary Parish Public Schools - St. Helena Parish Public Schools... more »

• Celebrity helping those concerned about Livingston flooding Play Video

  January 9, 2013 5:42 PM

  LIVINGSTON- Many people just finished with repairs from Hurricane Issac are now facing another threat because of several days of rain, with more in the forecast. Water crossed portions of Perrilloux Road before a much-needed break in the rain late this morning. Homeowner Sam Mack says he got about... more »

• Bad weather closes school for St. Mary Parish

  January 8, 2013 6:03 PM

  MORGAN CITY - Heavy rain and flood watches prompted a coastal school district to cancel classes tomorrow. The St. Mary Parish School Board announced on their website this evening that they would cancel Wednesday classes, due to the bad weather. Most of southern Louisiana is under a flash... more »

• Congress approves $9.7 billion in Sandy flood aid

  January 4, 2013 3:40 PM

  WASHINGTON - The new Congress has passed a $9.7 billion bill to help pay flood insurance claims to homeowners, renters and businesses damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The bill cleared the Senate following passage earlier Friday by the House. It replenishes the National Flood Insurance Program that was due to run... more »

• Sandy expected ashore by evening

  October 29, 2012 2:42 PM

  ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Hurricane Sandy is now expected to blow ashore in New jersey or Delaware by this evening -- hours sooner than previously expected. The storm has picked up some forward speed. It's already washed away a part of the Atlantic City Boardwalk. And it's threatening to cripple... more »

• DEQ fines company over leaks after Isaac

  September 18, 2012 5:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State regulators say they are issuing a $12,189 fine against a chemical terminal flooded during Hurricane Isaac because it did not notify authorities fast enough about chemical releases. On Tuesday, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality said it issued the fine against Stolthaven New Orleans LLC, a... more »

• North Carolina church volunteers offer help in Livingston Play Video

  September 17, 2012 4:53 PM

  SPRINGFIELD- Volunteers from North Carolina say helping people in Livingston recover from Hurricane Isaac is part of their mission. Greg Riggs with the North Carolina Baptist Men organization tells News 2 the goal is to give people hope through Jesus Christ in time of despair. The group has been... more »

• Hurricane Isaac rescuers nominated for award

  September 17, 2012 10:19 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Sen. Mary Landrieu has nominated a father and son credited with rescuing dozens of neighbors from Hurricane Isaac's floodwaters for an award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The Louisiana Democrat said Friday that she nominated 53-year-old Jesse Shaffer III and his 25-year-old son, Jesse,... more »

• Katrina floodwall case heads to trial

  September 11, 2012 3:08 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Army Corps of Engineers is back on trial, seven years after Hurricane Katrina's storm surge shredded New Orleans' flood protection system. Starting Wednesday, a federal judge will hear testimony in a lawsuit by several homeowners who claim negligence by the corps and a contractor caused... more »

• Middendorf's set to fry after flood Play Video

  September 10, 2012 5:33 PM

  AKERS - Middendorf's is ready to fry their famous thin catfish fillets again after Hurricane Isaac flooded the restaurant, some areas as deep as six feet. It's not the famous restaurant's first run-in with flood water, one reason owner Horst Pfeifer built the kitchen up high and added a... more »

• Isaac victims flooded with emotion Play Video

  September 7, 2012 6:05 PM

  LAPLACE- Cleanup continues in St. John Parish more than a week after Hurricane Isaac sent flood water into several neighborhoods near Lake Pontchartrain. Residents whose property took on several feet of water are just beginning to deal with the damage caused by the flooding. "It was like the... more »

• Thousands file flood insurance claims after Isaac

  September 4, 2012 6:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Officials say thousands of flood insurance claims are being filed in the wake of Hurricane Isaac, a slow-moving storm that brought drenching rain and tropical-storm force winds to parishes that don't typically experience flooding. Commissioner of Insurance James Donelon said Tuesday only 31 percent of Louisiana residents... more »

• Jindal: 70 pct of floodwater will soon be out

  August 31, 2012 2:02 PM

  NEW ORLEANS-Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says officials expect to have 70 percent of the water out of an area of Plaquemines Parish that flooded after being hit by Isaac. Jindal credits the development to a change in wind direction and the intentional breach of a levee there Thursday. More than... more »

• Voluntary evacuation for parts of Ascension Parish

  August 31, 2012 11:31 AM

  GONZALES - The Ascension Parish Unified Command has issued a voluntary evacuation order for parts of St. Amant, Acy and Sorrento because of anticipated rising waters from the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaac. Officials said the voluntary evacuation area is south of La. 934 (Gold Place Road), east of... more »

• Amite swelling closes waterways, sandbags available

  August 30, 2012 11:06 AM

  GONZALES - Swelling of the Amite River has led officials in Ascension Parish to close waterways. Parish officials expect river levels on the Amite River at Port Vincent to be above flood stage at that location this weekend. Flood stage at that site is 8 feet, according to the... more »

• 1,500 forced from homes by rising water

  August 29, 2012 8:00 PM

  LAPLACE - In St. John the Baptist Parish about 25 miles from New Orleans, at least 1,500 people were forced from their homes by floodwaters and thousands should evacuate, according to the governor's office. Rising water closed off all main thoroughfares into the parish, and in many areas, water lapped... more »

• Power outages, street flooding in La. storms

  July 20, 2012 5:29 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Storms moving through southeastern Louisiana knocked out power to tens of thousands and flooded streets. The National Weather Service says the New Orleans area got the most rain, with more on the way. Meteorologist Jim Salzwedel says New Orleans' Lakefront Airport got nearly 5.4 inches between midnight... more »

• News flood maps good news, bad news for homeowners Play Video

  May 24, 2012 6:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE - New flood maps released today from FEMA mean some people in East Baton Rouge Parish will have to get flood insurance for the first time. Jamie Heidelberg and her husband are one such family. They moved to the Westminster neighborhood a year ago, and thought they... more »

• Terrebonne officials prepare for summer floods

  April 25, 2012 10:40 AM

  Terrebonne Parish officials started the annual work of assembling the parish's "Cat 5" team. The team is charged with identifying places int eh parish that flood excessively in heavy rain. It was created following Hurricane Gustav in 2008. Task force members gather information on flood-prone areas and develops... more »

• New flood maps affect thousands in Livingston

  April 2, 2012 6:46 AM

  LIVINGSTON - New federal flood insurance rate maps will go into effect Tuesday, affecting thousands of Livingston Parish homeowners. Many people whose homes have never flooded will be required by their mortgage companies to buy insurance that could cost more than $1,000 a year. Meanwhile, others who have long been... more »

• Roads under water in Baton Rouge Play Video

  March 21, 2012 5:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE-- It's tough to tell whether some roads in Baton Rouge were for drivers or fish, because they looked more like rivers Wednesday morning. At least a foot of water covered Scenic Highway near 72nd, leaving many drivers turning around instead of fording what looked more like the... more »

• Floods force sandbagging in St. Martin Parish Play Video

  March 20, 2012 10:25 PM

  BREAUX BRIDGE-- The back-breaking work of filling and hauling sandbags is worth it to John Richard, even at 68 years old. He watched as his neighbors' homes in St. Martin Parish were flooded last week. He got lucky, because only his septic tank flooded. But water in the bayous near... more »

• Flood warnings continue for spots on Amite River

  February 20, 2012 3:00 PM

  The Amite River remains high Monday afternoon, as the flood warnings continue in a couple of different spots. A flood warning has been extended until Wednesday morning for the Amite River at Denham Springs. At 1 p.m., the stage was 30.9 feet, flood stage is 29 feet. The... more »

• Flood debris along Old River hauled away

  September 20, 2011 5:19 PM

  LACOUR - Heavy machines picked up and hauled away flood debris that has been sitting in piles along the road near Old River for months. The trash is what was left behind when camp owners gutted their homes after nearly 20-feet of water flooded the Old River area in... more »

• GOHSEP checking for flood damage

  September 7, 2011 5:21 PM

  LIVINGSTON - Crews from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness are driving through flood waters looking for flood damaged homes. They've searched and documented neighborhoods from Springfield to Maurepas. Hundreds of properties made the list which will be cross referenced with FEMA once the federal agency... more »

• Livingston Parish residents continue flood cleanup

  September 6, 2011 6:11 PM

  KILLIAN - People in Livingston Parish returned to their homes today to begin cleaning up after flooding caused by Tropical Storm Lee this weekend. "Bleaching down everything, power washing everything... We'll be cleaning up for the next couple of days for sure." said Killian resident Jason Pennington, whose downstairs... more »

• Dogs rescued from flood in Livingston Parish

  September 6, 2011 5:26 PM

  MAUREPAS- The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office and the Livingston SPCA confiscated eight pit bulls from rising water at a home on Hwy 22 in Maurepas. Terri Dunlap, director of the Livingston SPCA, says the dogs were abandoned with no food or water and locked in small kennels. After examining... more »

• Louisiana: floods subside, wildfires under control

  September 6, 2011 2:11 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Floodgates opened and the Red Cross was giving out flood cleanup kits in south Louisiana while helicopter crews in the northwest searched for hot spots from wildfires. State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says winds from Tropical Storm Lee had whipped up nine wildfires in... more »

• People in flood-prone towns stock up on essentials

  September 2, 2011 6:42 PM

  PORT VINCENT - Cars and pickups lined up at gas stations in flood-prone Port Vincent as people filled up on gas and other last-minute supplies ahead of storms this weekend. Some told News 2 the warnings for Tropical Storm Lee came too late to do serious preparations, but that... more »

• Five DPW workers suspended

  August 1, 2011 6:05 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Five Department of Public Works employees in Baton Rouge face suspension without pay after errors were discovered on their timesheets. Housekeeper Ruth Stephney was suspended two days without pay. Trades technician Michael Robinson and custodian Earlene Carney will both face five-day suspensions without pay. Trades technician... more »

• Texas Gulf oysters suffering in the drought

  July 31, 2011 1:12 PM

  SMITH POINT, Texas- Wildlife experts fear the drought in Texas could kill this year's oyster harvest. Dry conditions have caused the water in Texas' Galveston Bay to be saltier than usual, which allows disease and predators to thrive. Many oysters now being taken from the bay, which is the... more »

• Quest for renewable power turns back to water

  July 18, 2011 10:49 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The powerful flow of the Mississippi River, which brought destruction to scores living near its flooded banks this spring, is viewed by a new generation of energy entrepreneurs as a reliable alternative way of generating electricity. These developers aren't planning giant concrete dam projects that brought... more »

• Strain looks at flood-damaged N. La. farmland

  July 2, 2011 1:16 PM

  LAKE PROVIDENCE, La.- Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain visited the Bunches Bend area of East Carroll Parish to see the 10,000 acres of prime farm land that flooded when a century old levee failed during the recent battles against a high-running Mississippi River. Bunches Bend had been protected on... more »

• Corps: Mississippi River flood damaged levees

  June 26, 2011 3:22 PM

  MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The head of the group overseeing work by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says another floodway could be needed to relieve pressure on levees along the Mississippi River. Maj. Gen. Michael J. Walsh told The Commercial Appeal that he's not saying the agency should build a new... more »

• Part of Atchafalaya Basin reopened to boat traffic

  June 13, 2011 4:32 PM

  ST. MARTINVILLE - Authorities reopened all boat traffic for a four-mile portion of waterways in the Atchafalaya Basin today. The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries had closed the area in St. Martin Parish on May 26 due to flooding from the Morganza Spillway. It stretched from the Henderson... more »

• Levee reopens in downtown Baton Rouge

  June 11, 2011 6:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A portion of the Downtown Levee is now open again to pedestrians and cyclist. The levee river walk was closed while high water threatened Baton Rouge and to prevent accidents near flood protection equipment. Dozens of people returned to the levee Saturday to revisit the river. "It's... more »

• Part of Baton Rouge levee opens as river falls

  June 11, 2011 10:20 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Part of the Mississippi River levee is reopening to pedestrians and bicyclists in downtown Baton Rouge. Mayor-President Melvin "Kip" Holden closed the levee May 13, as crews put sandbags and other flood-control devices in low areas because record high water was expected. Since the river began... more »

• Corps to close bays at Bonnet Carre Spillway

  June 11, 2011 10:01 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will begin closing bays at the Bonnet Carre Spillway on Saturday. The corps says initially it will close 30 of the 330 bays currently open based on the reduced flows in the Mississippi River at Red River Landing. Officials... more »

• Downtown BR levee to reopen Saturday

  June 10, 2011 2:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE - People will once again be able to walk the levees in downtown Baton Rouge this weekend. Mayor-President Kip Holden's office said the levee north of the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino will no longer be off-limits to pedestrians and cyclists starting Saturday. Jim Ferguson with... more »

• Crawfish supply, demand drops during flooding

  June 9, 2011 6:10 PM

  BAYOU SORREL- As the prices of crawfish fall, the catch in some areas are down, too. Bayou Sorrel was expected to have a large catch following the flow of water from the Morganza Spillway, but so far the pay out isn't big. "We thought with the high water the... more »

• DEQ, DNR give lawmakers a flood impact report

  June 7, 2011 5:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE- State environmental agencies say oil and gas facilities were notified and prepared for the Mississippi River flooding, despite reports of some chemical storage facilities being threatened by the rising water. Members of the Department of Natural Resources and Dept. of Environmental Quality said the opening of the... more »

• Families return home after evacuation in Butte LaRose

  June 7, 2011 5:27 PM

  BUTTE LaROSE, La.- People in Butte LaRose are moving back after a mandatory evacuation two weeks ago. St. Martin Parish leaders lifted the evacuation order because flood waters didn't rise as high as expected. Renola Hebert and her sister spent the day moving bins and furniture back in... more »

• All Morganza Spillway bays could close by Sunday

  June 6, 2011 4:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Corps of Engineers could close the Morganza Spillway completely by next week. Corps spokesperson Rachel Rodi said two more bays were closed today, leaving only five currently open. She said because river levels keep falling they plan to close one a day until they're... more »

• Levees, River Road downtown being reopened

  June 3, 2011 3:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A section of River Road in downtown Baton Rouge that was closed due to the rising Mississippi River is back open, and the downtown levees should soon follow suit. DOTD removed sandbags and traffic barriers today from River Road near the Hollywood Casino, which had been... more »

• Several homes, camps flooded in St. Landry Parish

  June 1, 2011 5:39 PM

  ST. LANDRY PARISH - Boat launches are closed and several homes and camps are flooded on Old Cortableau Bayou and Bayou Darbonne in St. Landry Parish. Parish President Don Menard ordered boat launches close due to the increased water levels and the safety hazards boating poses for the residents... more »

• Happy Town residents return after evacuation

  June 1, 2011 5:29 PM

  BUTTE LAROSE - Mandatory evacuation orders were lifted for areas of St. Martin Parish early this morning, including the small fishing and hunting community known as Happy Town. The area is still under a voluntary evacuation, but that didn't stop Geno Collatta from trying to check in on his... more »

• Happy Town, Sherburne evacuation order lifted

  May 31, 2011 3:02 PM

  ST. MARTINVILLE - People are being allowed back into more evacuated portions of St. Martin Parish this week. Major Ginny Higgins with the sheriff's office said on Wednesday people will be allowed back into Happy Town, Sherburne and the remaining portion of Herman Dupuis Road from Dick Davis Park... more »

• Evacuation order lifted for parts of St. Martin Parish

  May 30, 2011 2:36 AM

  ST. MARTINVILLE- St. Martin Parish officials say that water is still rising - but at 8 a.m. today, people will be able to return to homes in some areas south of Butte LaRose. Other parts of that area will remain under mandatory evacuation. A news release Sunday said residents need... more »

• St. Martin Parish defends evacuation order

  May 27, 2011 5:41 PM

  BUTTE LAROSE - St. Martin Parish officials used a media tour of Butte LaRose and Happy Town to explain why an ongoing evacuation is needed. Water could crest on the Atchafalaya River this evening at more than 23 feet, and the river is still pushing water back through Bayou... more »

• Railway over Bonnet Carre Spillway reopened

  May 27, 2011 4:24 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A flood-damaged railroad bridge west of New Orleans has been repaired and reopened. Canadian National Railway spokesman Patrick Waldron said repairs were completed Friday morning and the bridge was opened after an inspection Friday afternoon. Debris hitting a pier supporting the bridge over the Bonnet... more »

• Morganza Spillway Bays Closing

  May 26, 2011 5:42 PM

  MORGANZA-- Five of the 17 bays that were open at the Morganza Spillway are closed, leaving 12 open. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said they decided to begin closing bays Wednesday after they set up gauges. "We realized we were letting more through than we thought we... more »

• Council: Scam crews claim FEMA requires sandbags

  May 26, 2011 8:38 AM

  HOUMA- The Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government says private work crews in the Gibson area have been telling elderly residents they have to sandbag their homes to get federal disaster relief. A statement on the government's website says that's false, and people should call the sheriff's office if they're approached by... more »

• Part of Atchafalaya Basin closed to boat traffic

  May 26, 2011 4:33 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Beginning at 6 a.m. today, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will close a four-mile stretch of the Atchafalaya Basin in St. Martin Parish to boat traffic. The closure area is from the Henderson levee on the west side to the Butte LaRose levee on the east... more »

• Mississippi River not on course with history

  May 25, 2011 5:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The path of the Mississippi River is static now, but before levees were built to combat flooding the river's course changed every few thousand years. Most recently the Mississippi River poured into the Gulf of Mexico near Bayou Lafourche, but after a study was commissioned in the... more »

• Floodwaters in South falling, but misery remains

  May 25, 2011 3:44 AM

  MEMPHIS- Floodwaters from the Mississippi River are slowly falling, but for people from Tennessee to Louisiana, the misery it left behind is only beginning as they face gutting their ruined houses soaked in polluted water. The bloated river has crested through the South and farmers with any hope of salvaging... more »

• Few people left in Butte LaRose after mandatory evacuation

  May 24, 2011 5:29 PM

  BUTTE LaROSE, La.- About 10 families are left in Butte LaRose after people were forced out of their homes at noon today. The St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office issued the evacuation because of high water. It was originally scheduled for Saturday, then pushed back because the water didn't rise... more »

• Butte LaRose residents to evacuate by noon

  May 24, 2011 2:33 AM

  BUTTE LAROSE- Residents of Butte LaRose are facing a mandatory evacuation as backwater from the swollen Atchafalaya River creeps toward homes in the Cajun community. The St. Martin Parish leaders say nobody will be allowed to enter the town once the order takes effect today at noon. The mandatory evacuation... more »

• Butte LaRose residents must evacuate tomorrow

  May 23, 2011 6:05 PM

  BUTTE LaROSE - Butte LaRose residents must be out of their homes or camps by tomorrow at noon. St. Martin Parish leaders postponed the mandatory evacuation because the water is rising slower than expected. The evacuation was originally scheduled for Saturday. John and Janell Mitchell own a camp... more »

• Evacuation order lifted for parts of St. Landry Parish

  May 23, 2011 9:33 AM

  ST. LANDRY- The mandatory evacuation for residents south of Hwy 190, the Three Mile Lake area and the North Wilderness Road area has been lifted. These areas will remain under voluntary evacuation until further notice. Changes in the flood forecast and the slow approach of water prompted St. Landry... more »

• Coast Guard may reopen river to barge traffic

  May 23, 2011 9:18 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The Coast Guard may partially reopen a nine-mile segment of the Mississippi River to barge traffic as it reviews a plan to remove three barges that sank in the waterway in Baton Rouge last week. Petty Officer Stephen Lehmann said the Coast Guard expects to allow northbound traffic... more »

• Stretch of river remains closed after barges sink

  May 23, 2011 3:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE- A nine-mile stretch of the Mississippi River remains closed while the Coast Guard settles on a plan to remove three barges that sank in the waterway that is bulging with floodwaters from upriver. Roman Blahoski, a spokesman for the Archer Daniels Midland Co., says the company has... more »