NEW ORLEANS – With the river level falling and long term forecasts predicting the end of this year’s high water season, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District decreased it’s flood response activation level from phase II back down to phase I of its Mississippi River flood response procedures yesterday after the river level subsided below 15 feet Tuesday evening.
Currently, the river level stands at 14.42 feet at the Carrolton Gauge.
“Our teams will still be out in the field inspecting at least twice a week until we get back down below 11, “ said Mike Stack, chief of the Emergency Management Office. “We’ll continue to coordinate our efforts with the state and local officials to make sure we can respond effectively to any concerns that may come up with the falling levels.”
Phase I was originally activated April 13 when the river reached 11 feet and was predicted to continue to rise. After reaching 15.8 feet May 22, the Corps activated phase II and began inspections 7 days a week, closely coordinating efforts with the local levee authorities and districts, the Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the local levee authorities.