Communities to the north are dealing with flooding from the swollen Mississippi River. But the Port of New Orleans is not expecting any interruption of shipping traffic.
Port of New Orleans President Gary LaGrange says water levels will be high — but not too high.
“The river, according to the Army Corp of Engineers, is supposed to crest here in New Orleans on or around May 11, and that crest should be at about 14 feet. If you recall two years ago we were at 17 feet, which is flood stage, for quite some time. Certainly more than two or three weeks.”
The spring floods of 2011 were so severe that the Morganza Spillway was opened for the first time since 1973.
The Bonnet Carré Spillway and the Old River Control Structure were also opened to protect New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
LaGrange says there have been no discussions yet from the Corps about river diversions.
