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Army Corps holds meeting on Morganza Spillway in Butte La Rose

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted a meeting at the Butte La Rose Fire Station Tuesday, just five days out from the Morganza Spillway opening.

The last time the spillway opened, many in that community were told to evacuate because of the flood threat but this year, it’s a different story.

There were no evacuation orders issued here at Tuesday’s public meeting in Butte La Rose but this community is well aware that they are facing a flood threat once again. Still, some residents say they have no plans to evacuate this time around.

More than 100 people showed up to hear directly from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, some are concerned because they’re already seeing high water.

“We have probably about a quarter acre underwater,” said resident Felton Collins.

For Collins, his home was built high but he worries it might not be high enough for what’s coming through the Morganza

“The water will rise faster than we hoped it would, and we are not sure. That’s what bothers us all. We’re not sure how high that is going to raise the level,” Felton said.

The Corps also addressed their dire warning issued for Butte La Rose in 2011 and the flood that never quite came. They warn this year, circumstances are different.

“One of the things to remember in 2011 is that the State of Louisiana was in a major drought. So, what happened was we were looking at putting an amount of water into the floodway and the ground itself was so dry it absorbed so much of that water. This year we are not in a drought and have a very wet basin, so you will look at more water per the same flow in 2011,” said spokesperson Rickey Boyett.

Parish President Chester Cedars tells KATC that if there is a need for an evacuation, the parish hopes to give a week’s notice.

 

Thursday’s meeting took place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Corps officials also answered questions from attendees.

For more information on the possible impacts to the Acadiana area, click here: Opening Morganza: What could the impact be?

Visit KATC.com/flooding for the latest on conditions in Acadiana.