Flood crest prediction now at 7 feet

East St. Mary is mostly buttoned up against flooding this week, although an updated forecast says the coming crest will put less pressure on the system than originally expected.
The Atchafalaya at Morgan City is now expected to crest Friday, May 2, at 7.0 feet, half a foot lower than the forecast said last week.
On Wednesday morning, the river was at 5.49 feet. It’s expected to reach the 6-foot flood stage early Saturday morning and the 7-foot stage the following Friday.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, at 7 feet buildings at the foot of Ann Street on the river side of the flood wall will flood as water overtops the Rio Oil Co. dock. Buildings on the river side of the Berwick floodwall will flood. River traffic restrictions will be strictly
enforced.
In addition, backwater flooding could potentially impact portions areas around Lake Palourde and Stephensville.
On April 14, the St. Mary Levee District closed the 3-year-old Bayou Chene Flood Control Structure, which was designed to protect lower St. Martin and points east from back-flooding. It works by allowing a barge to pivot into place across the bayou and fill with water.
Many of the flood gates in the Morgan City and Berwick flood walls were closed by Monday morning.
The current flood risk results from severe weather in the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys earlier this month.
As the runoff into the Mississippi River increases, so does the amount of water diverted from the Mississippi into the Atchafalaya.
Meanwhile, flooding was anticipated in the New Orleans area Monday.