Mississippi River
Flooding Information
Final Update 6/22/11 4:40 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is now at 47.8 feet and is expected to continue to fall for the next month. The river is now below flood stage so this will be our final update for the Great Mississippi River Flood of 2011.
Update 6/21/11 9:20 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 48.6 feet, just over a half foot above flood stage.
A Word from Your Webmaster
The past several weeks have been a wild ride
for Concordia Parish and the surrounding areas.
We have seen records that have stood for seventy-four years
shattered by rising river levels.
The Mississippi River crested nearly four feet above the
highest level on record up until this year.
This year’s record exceeded the 2008 crest by almost five
feet.
From the first bleak predictions coming from
the National Weather Service of a crest of 65 feet, fear and
distress spread throughout the area.
Rumors of broken levees and rushing flood waters ran through
the parish and even throughout the state and beyond.
Concerned families hurried to make preparations for what they
would do and where they would go when the time came.
The leaders of our parish along with the 5th
District Levee Board, the Concordia Parish Police Jury, the
Louisiana National Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers went
to work making sure that people and property would be protected and
the public would be informed.
95 Country, KFNV, The Concordia Sentinel, The Natchez
Democrat, and this web site began relaying the facts to the public
as quickly as they were available.
Truly, the leaders and organizations of this area worked
together and rose to the challenge.
I am both proud and grateful to all those involved.
During this time of potential crisis, I, under
the direction of Sheriff Maxwell, have strived to bring you the most
accurate and timely information available.
It has been an honor to relate to you the facts that calmed
the fears and helped you prepare.
I trust that this information has been helpful.
Thank you for the emails and words of encouragement letting
me know that my efforts were not in vain.
I would also like to say a special thanks to Kathleen
Stevens, Public Information Officer, Concordia Parish Sheriff’s
Office, who wrote many of the articles I have posted.
My plan is to continue posting on the web site
until the river is below flood stage which should be around
Wednesday. After that we
will continue to post relevant news and information under the News
heading.
Wayne Gilmore
Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office
Update 6/20/11 11:45 pm
The Mississippi River is now at 49.1 feet and still falling. The National Weather Service predicts the level to be below flood stage by Wednesday at which time we will cease posting flood information on this site. River level information can be found at RiverGages.com and NOAA.gov. We will continue to post news and information on the News section of this site.
Update 6/19/11 10:15 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez has fallen below 50 feet today and now is at 49.5 feet and still falling. Flood stage is 48 feet.
Update 6/18/11 11:30 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 50.17 feet and still falling. Don't let those flood preparations go to waste. Many of the same measures families used to prepare for a possible evacuation are the same measures used for hurricane season. Take a look at GetaGamePlan.org and be ready just in case.
Update 6/18/11 11:15 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 50.6 feet this morning. The National Weather Service predicts a level of 48.6 feet by Wednesday.
Update 6/17/11 11:30 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez/Vidalia is at 50.9 feet and still falling. This level brings us below the mile stone of "Moderate" flood stage. These flood stages are as follows:
| Stage | Level |
|---|---|
| Action | 38 feet |
| Flood | 48 feet |
| Moderate | 51 feet |
| Major | 57 feet |
The National Weather Service is now predicting that the river will fall below the flood stage of 48 feet on June 26th.
Update 6/17/11 10:45 am
RiverGages.com reports a stage of 51.22 feet for the Mississippi River at Natchez.
Update 6/16/11 6:45 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 51.65 feet and falling. From 48 to 51 feet is considered "Moderate Flood Stage". The National Weather Service predicts that the river will fall below this stage on Saturday. After that time we will be in "Flood Stage" until the river drops below 48 feet on or around July 7th.
Update 6/16/11 10:30 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez/Vidalia is now at 51.8 feet, over ten feet below the crest of less than a month ago.
Update 6/15/11 11:20 am
The current stage of the Mississippi River at Natchez is 52.4 feet and still falling. The National Weather Service now predicts that the river will fall below flood stage on July 7th.
Update 6/14/11 12:00 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is currently at a stage of 52.9 feet. It has fallen about 1/2 foot in the past 24 hours.
Update 6/13/11 9:10 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 53.46 feet. This is roughly 5.5 feet above flood stage.
Update 6/12/11 1:35 pm
The slow and steady fall has brought the Mississippi River to 53.8 feet. It should be down to 51.8 by Friday.
Update 6/11/11 7:15 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 54.1 feet. It has fallen about 0.4 feet over the past 24 hours which continues its slow steady fall.
Update 6/11/11 11:00 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez is now at 54.3 feet and falling. The National Weather Service predicts a slow, steady decline over the next 28 days.
Update 6/10/11 2:10 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 54.6 feet and still falling. The National Weather Service predicts a level below flood stage on June 28.
Update 6/9/11 4:50 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at the stage of 54.9 feet, down seven feet from the highest on record just three weeks ago.
Please do not play on the levees, especially with ATVs. This can be very dangerous and could cause costly damage to our levee system.
Update 6/8/11 9:00 pm
Highway 15 on the levee south of Vidalia is now open to traffic. The Hesco boxes have been removed.
The current river level is 55.18. The forecast from the National Weather Service calls for the river to be at 43.8 on the Forth of July.
Update 6/8/11 1:40 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 55.3 feet and falling steadily. The current level is in line with the estimated timeline given by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers two weeks ago.
Update 6/7/11 2:15 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is currently at 55.7 feet and falling.
There is a lot of talk in the national media about towns along the Missouri River in Iowa and Missouri being flooded and, in view of recent events, this is causing some anxiety among Concordia Parish citizens, and understandably so. But according to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the current Missouri River flooding will have little or no future effect on Concordia Parish or surrounding areas. They plan to have an official statement tomorrow.
Update 6/6/11 6:50 pm
The current Mississippi River level for our area is 56.1 feet and falling. Click Here for an interesting video on why the Army Corps of Engineers used so many control structures to keep the flood at bay.
Update 6/6/11 11:20 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 56.3 feet and falling slow and steady. The National Weather Service expects the river to be below 53.8 by the end of the week.
Update 6/5/11 12:00 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is currently at 56.8 feet and falling. This is below the 2008 crest of 57 feet. This also means we are below Major Flood Stage which is also 57 feet. We are currently in the Moderate Flood Stage. Our next milestone is 51 feet where we will no longer be in Moderate but will remain in flood stage. The National Weather Service predicts that the river will fall below flood stage in about three weeks.
Update 6/4/11 3:15 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is currently at 57.2 feet and falling.
Update 6/3/11 2:15 pm
According to the Louisiana Department of Transportation, Highway 15 south of Vidalia will be CLOSED beginning Saturday at 7:00am and extending through Wednesday. The span of highway that will be closed is between Highway 131 south of Vidalia and Highway 565 at Deer Park. This closure is to facilitate the removal of the Hesco boxes from the levee. NO TRAFFIC will be allowed on the highway during this time.
Update 6/3/11 9:00 am
The Mississippi River has fallen to 57.76 feet. This is a decrease of 0.46 feet over the past 24 hours.
Update 6/2/11 9:15 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is currently at 58.01 feet. This is slightly below the previous record high of 58.04 set in 1937. The National Weather Service predicts the river will be at 56.5 feet by June 7th and below 51 feet by the end of the month.
Update 6/2/11 11:15 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez is now at 58.2 and still falling.
The "official" crest date and stage as reported by the Corps of Engineers and the National Weather Service is now 61.9 feet on May 19, 2011. This stage is 13.9 feet above flood stage and 3.86 feet above the highest crest in recorded history. It is also 4.9 feet above the crest we witnessed in 2008.
Update 6/1/11 9:15 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is still falling slowly and is now down to 58.4 feet. This is down 3.5 feet from the crest just two weeks ago. The National Weather Service predicts that the river will fall below 56 on June 6th.
Update 6/1/11 8:30 am
Local residential traffic will be allowed on levees beginning June 8th. No truck or farm equipment will be allowed.
The latest river stage is 58.6 feet.
Update 5/31/11 11:45 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 58.96 feet. The National Weather Service predicts the stage to be at 57.1 on June 4th.
There is a lot of talk about 100-year floods, stages, gages, etc. But what do these terms mean? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a glossary of the terms they use all the time. It can be found here.
Update 5/30/11 3:30 pm
At 3:00pm the river stage was 59.2 and, overall, falling slightly faster than it has in the past few days. The National Weather Service predicts that the river will fall below the 2008 crest around June 5th.
Update 5/29/11 9:45 pm
The National Weather Service is reporting the current stage of the Mississippi River at Natchez at 59.5 feet and falling. All mainline levees are holding and there are no evacuations.
Update 5/29/11 12:20 pm
The current river stage is 59.6 feet and still falling.
Update 5/28/11 9:00 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 59.8 feet and falling slow and steady.
Update 5/27/11 11:15 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez has dropped to 60 feet for the first time in two weeks.
The National Weather Service estimates that around June 1st the stage will drop below the previous record height of 58.04.
Update 5/27/11 1:50 pm
Latest Flooding Timeline from the Army Corps of Engineers:
The current river stage is 60.1 feet and slowly falling.
Update 5/26/11 9:20 pm
The current river stage is 60.26 feet and slowly falling. The National Weather Service predicts the stage to be 58.1 by Tuesday.
For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the job isn't finished just because the river crested. Take a look at what they will be doing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A72zlTl9cFQ&feature=youtu.be
Flood pictures
Update 5/26/11 10:00 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 60.4 feet and still falling slowly. All levees are in good shape. Please be watchful for displaced wildlife crossing the highways.
Update 5/25/11 8:45 pm
The river stage at 8:30pm measured 60.57. The National Weather Service expects the river to drop to 58.8 by Monday.
Update 5/25/11 1:20 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is continuing to slowly recede. The stage at noon was 60.6. The National Weather Service predicts the river will fall below flood stage during the last week in June. All levees are still holding and performing as designed.
Update 5/24/11 12:15 pm
Sand boils and seepage are common during a river flood according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We have seen some sand boils like the ones north of Concordia Parish but all of them are being addressed by the Corps. Another thing that happens during the floods is called a slide. This is when part of the levee surface sloughs off. Slides can happen more often if the river level drops quickly. Two slides have occurred 25 miles north of Vicksburg but are considered shallow and the corps is in the process of repairing them now. These slides do not threaten the integrity of the levee system.
http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/index.php?pID=8&aID=285
http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/index.php?pID=8&aID=286
Update 5/24/11 12:00 pm
The current stage of the river is 60.9. This is down to the same level as nine days ago.
Update 5/23/11 7:45 pm
The National Weather Service is predicting that the Mississippi River at Natchez will drop below 60 feet by Friday. The current stage is 61.16.
Update 5/23/11 11:30 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez is now reading at 61.2 feet.
There are no changes in any road closures.
Update 5/22/11 8:45 pm
According to RiverGages.com, the Mississippi River at Natchez is 61.35 feet as of 8:00pm.
Update 5/22/11 1:20 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez has fallen to 61.5 feet and is expected to continue falling.
Update 5/21/11 8:45 pm
The river has fallen slightly to 61.6 feet.
We would like to remind everyone to keep moving when crossing the bridge. Please do not stop or impede the flow of traffic.
All mainline levees are holding and no evacuations are requested.
Update 5/21/11 1:15 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez continues to be mostly steady between 61.7 and 61.8. It is still predicted to begin falling on Monday and be down to 61.4 by Thursday.
Update 5/20/11 5:00 pm
Concordia Parish residents breathed a collective sigh of relief today as the swollen Mississippi River stopped rising. As we await the receding of the flood waters let's keep in mind that, although no evacuations are expected, we are still at Level 2 preparedness.
All unpaved roads on the levees are still closed. Deer and other wildlife are still roaming about looking for refuge from the high water.
If you see a sand boil please report it to the Corps of Engineers at 601-631-5972.
The levees are holding strong and performing as designed according to the Corps or Engineers. See the latest at the US Army website.
The river is cresting at 61.8 feet and is expected to remain at that level through Sunday. The water should begin to recede on Monday and be down to 61.5 by Wednesday.
Update 5/20/11 12:05 pm
According to the National Weather Service, the Mississippi River at Natchez is cresting at 61.8 at this time and will remain at that level through Sunday. The river level should begin to fall on Monday and be at the stage of 61.5 by Wednesday.
Update 5/20/11 11:52 am
The National Weather Service is now reporting that the Mississippi River at Natchez IS CRESTING at this time.
Update 5/20/11 11:20 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 61.7 feet. This is down a couple of inches from yesterday but is a minor fluctuation and no official crest has been declared. The river is expected to crest early tomorrow morning at 62.1 feet.
Update 5/19/11 9:00 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is still at 61.9 feet and is holding near steady. All mainline levees are intact and holding. There are no evacuations requested.
The river is cresting at Vicksburg at this time and has already crested in Arkansas City and Greenville.
Update 5/19/11 2:30 pm
The National Weather Service is reporting that the Mississippi River at Natchez is nearly steady at 61.9 feet. They predict that the river will crest at 62.1 feet on Saturday morning. That is approximately 2.4 inches left before the crest.
The predicted crest is 4.1 feet higher than any on record for this area but is a welcome change from the 65 foot prediction from May 3rd.
There are no evacuations requested. We still remain at Level 2 of the Flood Readiness plan which means we should have important papers ready just in case there is a problem with a levee. This readiness is also a good idea for hurricane season and other potentially dangerous situations.
Update 5/19/11 12:55 am
The forecast for the Mississippi River at Natchez has changed slightly. The National Weather Service predicts that it will crest Saturday morning at 62.1 feet.
Update 5/18/11 8:30 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez/Vidalia is at 61.9 feet and is expected to crest at 62.5 feet on Saturday morning at around 7:00am. Until then the National Weather Service expects the river to level to increase at about 0.2 feet per day.
There is some seep water near the levees. Seep water is clear and still and is normal in high water situations. If you see seep water that has color or is muddy or if it is foamy or running, it could be a sand boil. If you suspect a sand boil please call the Corps of Engineers at 601-631-5972. Sand boils can be contained but should be treated as soon as possible. For more information about sand boils see Sandboils 101.
While out driving, please be careful about deer and other wildlife crossing the road.
Update 5/18/11 11:00 am
The projected crest of the Mississippi River at Natchez has been lowered one half foot to 62.5 feet on Saturday.
Update 5/18/11 9:45 am
The river stage at Natchez/Vidalia is 61.9 and is still expected to crest on Saturday morning at 63 feet.
Update 5/17/11 4:40 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez is still at 61.6 and still slowly rising. There are no evacuations and all mainline levees are holding. For some interesting river flood information from the Corps of Engineers, visit: https://www.facebook.com/OperationWatershed2011
Update 5/17/11 11:30 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez/Vidalia is at 61.6 feet and slowly rising. It is still expected to crest at 63 feet by Saturday morning. No evacuations are requested.
Vidalia Police Department asks that people not stop on the bridge or impede the flow of traffic.
Please be careful about deer and other wildlife crossing the roads especially in the Ridgecrest area.
Update 5/16/11 8:30 pm
At 8:00pm the Mississippi River at Natchez was at 61.33 feet.
The flood warning for Black River at Jonesville L&D has been cancelled as it is expected to crest below flood stage on Saturday morning.
Update 5/16/11 3:30 pm
At 3:00pm the Mississippi River at Natchez was at 61.3 feet. All mainline levees are holding. No evacuations are requested. Please stay off the levees and be careful of wildlife on highways.
Update 5/16/11 1:30 pm
The flood warning for the Black River at Acme has been cancelled according to the National Weather Service. The Black River at Acme is expected to crest below flood stage on Saturday.
Update 5/16/11 10:15 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez is still expected to crest on Saturday at 63 feet. Black River at Acme is expected to rise to 48.5 feet and at Jonesville L&D to 50.5 feet by Saturday morning. Current Mississippi level at Natchez is 61.2.
Update 5/15/11 2:15 pm
The National Weather Service has reduced the forecast of the Mississippi River at Natchez to a 63 foot crest on Saturday, May 21. This is another half of a foot lower than the prediction from yesterday.
Update 5/15/11 1:30 pm
The Mississippi River at Natchez/Vidalia is at 60.8 as of 1:00pm. All mainline levees are holding. No evacuations are requested.
Update 5/14/11 3:15 pm
The first bay of the Morganza Spillway has been opened.
Update 5/14/11 10:35 am
The National Weather Service has lowered the expected crest of the Mississippi River at Natchez/Vidalia to 63.5 on Saturday, May 21. This is half a foot lower than the previous prediction.
Update 5/14/11 10:30 am
As of 9:00am, the Mississippi River at Natchez is at 60.3 feet. No changes have been made in the forecast. All mainline levees are holding and no breaches or overtopping is expected. No evacuations are requested.
Update 5/13/11 2:20 pm
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal says the Morganza Spillway will most likely be opened some time this weekend. This will flood some areas to the south of us but will not have an adverse effect on Concordia Parish.
All of the mainline levees are holding. There are no evacuations requested. At 1:00pm the river was at 59.8 feet and is still expected to crest at 64 feet on Saturday, May 21.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Guard, levee board, and law enforcement officers are diligently patrolling the levees for sand boils or any other problems. The Corps asks that if you see a sand boil to report it to them. Their number is 601-631-5972. So, what is a sand boil? James McRae of the Corps of Engineers explained that water seeping from a levee is normal and not dangerous if it is clear. When the water is cloudy or muddy, it could be a sand boil. The Corps can remedy them by sand-bagging around them. For more information and photos of sand boils, take a look at Sandboils 101. If you see something you suspect is a sand boil, give them a call.
Any questions about the levees can be asked on Operation Watershed 2011.
Update 5/13/11 11:45 am
Sheriff’s Office reminds motorists to be aware of deer
The area between Airport Road and Ridgecrest is particularly
vulnerable and motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution.
“These deer are coming from Giles Island and Rifle Point,”
noted Sheriff Randy Maxwell. “They’re attempting to find dry land
and they could dart out into highway traffic at any moment.”
Because deer-related accidents present considerable potential
for property damage, injury and death, the Sheriff offers some
safety guidelines:
•
Always wear your seat belt.
Studies show that 60% of the people killed in deer-related
crashes weren’t using safety belts.
•
Deliberately look for deer and slow down if
you see any.
•
Drive at or below the posted speeds where
deer-crossings may be a hazard.
•
Use high beams after dark when there is no
opposing traffic. Watch
for the lights to fall on the eyes of deer, which will be
illuminated red.
•
Scan the sides of the road.
•
If you see a deer, slow down gradually and
flash your high-beam headlights on and off several times and deliver
short blasts of your horn.
•
One deer is likely to be followed by more.
See one as a signal to slow down and proceed with caution.
•
If a deer is in your path, do not swerve to
avoid hitting it. Try
to brake firmly and maintain full control of your vehicle.
•
Always observe the safe-distance driving
rule, also known as the four-second-or- more cushion, keeping at
least that many seconds between your vehicle and the one in front in
case a car you are following must swerve or stop for a deer.
“Deer-vehicle collisions exact high costs in terms of injuries and
deaths; not to mention the economic costs.
The best way to prevent these collisions is vigilance. Please
be on the lookout.” Maxwell advised.
###
Update 5/13/11 - 10:30 am
Levee
system remains in good condition, Concordia still at “Level 2” of
Flood Plan
Level 2 calls for pre-planning for evacuation of homes and
property; and the pre-packaging of personal and irreplaceable
property, such as important papers, photographs, certificates, etc.
Police Jury President Melvin Ferrington opened the session by
announcing the continued Level 2 status.
Sheriff Randy Maxwell pointed out that the levee system is being scrutinized by more people and agencies than ever before and, as of today, all looks sound.
Among agencies represented were area police and fire departments and
the Concordia Sheriff’s Office, city officials from around the
parish, U.S. Corps of Engineers, Governor’s Office of Homeland
Security and Emergency Preparedness, Wildlife and Fisheries,
Louisiana State Police, Louisiana National Guard, Police Jury, and
others.
Maxwell noted that lists of elderly and medically challenged
residents are being compiled by city and parish agencies so they
will have assistance should an evacuation be deemed necessary.
Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin noted the importance of reassuring
people that they will not be abandoned in case this rises to an
evacuation situation.
The Sheriff said all agencies continuing to work as one unit
and publicize factual information to the public is vital. He
stressed too that emergency assistance from around the state is on
standby for the river parishes if that need arises.
“Everything is in place that we know of. I feel like we are
prepared for any event.”
He emphasized that the many “what if” questions are nearly
impossible to answer because a breach in the levee at any one spot
would have completely different results than if it were to occur at
another area.
A Corps of Engineers representative said that interested
people can go to Facebook without becoming members, go to “2011
Flood Fight Operation Watershed” to ask questions of public affairs
officers.
####
Update 5/13/11 - 10:15 am
We are still at Level 2. No evacuations are requested. The Corps of Engineers says the levees are holding.
Update 5/12/11 - 4:35 pm
The levee that was topped earlier today near Lake Providence has no effect at all on Concordia Parish according to Waylon Hill of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Water Control Division. The levee is an old one that was abandoned years ago. The new mainline levee is taller and stronger than the old one. In between the old levee and the new one lies 12,000 acres of farmland that, unfortunately, will be flooded. If you would like to read more about the levee, see Older levee breeched.
Again, this topping of the levee has NO EFFECT on Concordia
Parish or the surrounding areas.
Update 5/12/11 - 11:45 am
There are no evacuations.
The American Red Cross is hosting a training for shelter volunteers on Saturday, May 14, for those who are interested. For more information, please see http://www.cenlaredcross.org/ .
Update 5/11/11 - 2:25 pm
Officials still do not expect any evacuations to be necessary but being prepared is important. Here are some tips for being ready:
Emergency Tips
Excerpts from www.getaplan.org
from the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and
Emergency Preparedness
If local
officials haven't advised an immediate evacuation:
·
If there's a chance the weather may get worse or flooding may
happen, take steps now to protect your home and belongings. Do this
only if local officials have not asked you to leave.
Prepare a personal
evacuation plan.
·
Identify
ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose
several places - a friend's home in another town, a motel or a
shelter.
·
Keep
handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of
your locality. You may need to take alternative or
unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.
·
Fill your
car’s gas tank.
·
Have
prescription medications refilled and ready to take with you if told
to evacuate.
·
Have all
valuable family records in waterproof containers and ready to take
with you or take ahead of time to a proper storage place.
·
Listen to
local radio or TV stations for evacuation
instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Protect your home:
·
Leave
natural gas on.
Unless local officials advise otherwise, leave natural gas on
because you will need it for heating and cooking when you return
home. If you turn gas off, a licensed professional is required to
turn it back on, and it may take weeks for a professional to
respond.
·
Turn off
propane gas service.
Propane tanks often become
dislodged in disasters.
·
Move
objects that may get damaged by wind or water to safer areas of your
home.
Move television sets,
computers, stereo and electronic equipment, and easily moveable
appliances like a microwave oven to higher levels of your home and
away from windows. Wrap them in sheets, blankets or burlap.
·
Make a
visual or written record of all of your household possessions.
Record model and serial numbers. This list could help you prove the
value of what you owned if those possessions are damaged or
destroyed, and can assist you to claim deductions on taxes. Do this
for all items in your home, including expensive items such as sofas,
chairs, tables, beds, chests, wall units, and any other furniture
too heavy to move. Store a copy of the record somewhere away from
home and possible flooding.
Preparing for persons with special needs:
The
elderly and chronically ill are particularly vulnerable during an
emergency. Power outages can pose serious threats to someone
dependent on respiratory devices or other medical devices. Persons
who will potentially need
assistance during a possible evacuation are asked to notify their
municipal police department or the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s
Office. A “Special Needs
Guide” is available at
www.getagameplan.org
Pet Preparation
BEFORE A DISASTER
• Make sure that your pets are current on their vaccinations. Pet
shelters may require
proof of vaccines.
• Have a current photograph.
• Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on
hand to control your pet.
• Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal - carriers
should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.
• Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget your pet!
Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary
clinics and friends and relatives out of harm's way are ALL
potential refuges for your pet.
DURING A DISASTER
• Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have: Proper
identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all
belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of food,
water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care
instructions and newspapers or trash bags for clean-up.
• Pet shelters will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Call ahead and determine availability.
Update 5/11/11 - 11:50 am
The Mississippi River at Natchez/Vidalia is still expected to crest at 64 feet on Saturday, May 21. Everyone is reminded to stay off the levees. There are still no evacuations requested. There are no breaches in the levees.
We have placed more links for other information on the right side of the page. If you would like to suggest other links, please email me at wgilmore@concordiasheriff.org.
Update 5/10/11 - 1:30 pm
CPSO plans
for ill residents;
warns of flood-related scams
“Our office, the Vidalia police or Ferriday police need to
know their vital information ahead of time – their names, addresses,
phone numbers, etc., so we will know precisely how to contact these
residents in the event that an evacuation becomes necessary.”
“We want to be as prepared as possible in case of any
emergency that could arise,” he stressed, “just like we’ve been
asking area residents to do. Public safety is the top priority.”
Additionally, Maxwell warns residents to be wary of people
taking advantage of the current river situation. “We’re already
receiving calls about people coming out of the woodwork and offering
to watch people’s homes if they evacuate.”
“There is absolutely no one authorized to watch people’s
homes other than law enforcement and the National Guard if there’s
an evacuation,” the Sheriff noted.
“We all need to be cautious concerning scams that crop up
during stressful situations like this. If someone approaches you or
your neighbor with an offer like this – or anything that remotely
sounds like a scam, call our office, or the Vidalia or Ferriday
Police Departments.”
The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office may be reached at
318-336-5231, 757-3162 or 386-2200. The Vidalia Police Department’s
phone number is 318-336-5254 and the Ferriday Police Department is
318-757-3606.
######
Update 5/9/11 - 12:45 pm
News Release
Sheriff assures no evacuations ordered;
advises continued pre-planning
“We want everyone to prepare for that possibility, just like
we’ve been advising for the past few weeks,” he said at mid-morning.
“We surely want everyone to be prepared, just like South Louisiana
residents prepare for hurricanes.”
The Sheriff noted that if an evacuation should
be ordered, everyone will be notified by Code Red and the media.
He stressed too that persons who are bedridden or who have
other major medical issues that may require assistance in the event
of an evacuation should contact their local police departments or
the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office.
“Our office or their police departments need to know their
vital information ahead of time – their names, addresses, phone
numbers, etc., so we will know precisely how to contact them should
an evacuation become necessary.”
“Planning and preparation are essential for
everything to run smoothly,” Maxwell added. “All of our public
agencies – state and local offices of Homeland Security and
Emergency Preparedness, the Corps of Engineers, the Louisiana
National Guard, town officials from Ferriday and Vidalia, the Police
Jury -- are working together for the sake of public safety. We’re in
constant contact with one another concerning the river stage and
levee condition.”
“The media is helping us enormously in keeping
everyone informed of the actual facts of this situation. We’re also
keeping our website up-to-date,” he said.
The sheriff’s office website is
www.concordiasheriff.org.
To sign up for Code Red alerts, go to that website or call Concordia
Communications at 318-336-5671 or the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s
Office at 318-336-5231, 757-3162 or 386-2200.
Update 5/9/11 - 11:15 am
There are NO EVACUATIONS at this time!!
Concordia
Parish now at “Level 2”
of 2011 Evacuation Plan
Meeting for the decision were Concordia Parish Police Jury
President Melvin Ferrington, Sheriff Randy Maxwell, Vidalia Mayor
Hyram Copeland, Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin, and Morris White,
parish director of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness.
Members of the Louisiana Army National Guard and a
representative of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and
Emergency Preparedness also attended the session.
Level 2 calls for pre-planning for evacuation of homes
and property; pre-packaging of personal and irreplaceable property,
such as important papers, photographs, certificates, etc.).
A map designating potential evacuation routes was also
approved today.
Click here for map. The map delineates the parish’s major
highways as evacuation routes. Pick-up points are also starred on
the map for those residents who may need transportation if the
parish should need to move into a mandatory evacuation mode.
The designated pick-up locations would be the three parish
high schools located in Vidalia, Ferriday and Monterey, along with
the Head Start site in Clayton located on U.S. Hwy. 425 and La. Hwy.
15.
Following are the four stages
of the Flood Evacuation Warning Levels:
Level 1
Declaration of State of Emergency
No action to be taken by the public at this
time.
Level 2
Awareness Level
Suggested
pre-planning for evacuation of homes/property.
Pre-packaging of
personal, irreplaceable property.
(i.e. important
papers, photographs, certificates, etc.)
Level 3
Recommended Volunteer Evacuation
Removal of personal possessions.
Removal of cattle, farm equipment, industrial
equipment.
Evacuees need to request cut-off of personal
utilities.
(Notify Utility Companies)
Notify local authorities of personal
evacuation.
(so property can be patrolled against
vandalism)
Recommend hospital/nursing facilities/school
closure.
Level 4
Mandatory Evacuation
No livestock, farm equipment, industrial
equipment will be allowed on highways until mass civilian evacuation
has been executed.
Mandatory hospital/nursing facilities/school
closure.
###
Update 5/8/11 - 12:45 pm
The National Weather Service has changed the projected crest date of the MIssissippi River at Natchez/Vidalia. The river is now forecasted to crest at 64 feet on Saturday morning, May 21. This is one day sooner that previously expected.
There are still no evacuations at this time.
Update 5/7/11 4:30 pm
CLARIFICATION ON EARLIER UPDATE
Update 5/7/11 - 12:20 pm
Sheriff’s
Office urges motorists to be aware of deer
The area between Airport Road and Ridgecrest is particularly
vulnerable and motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution.
“These deer are coming from Giles Island and Rifle Point,”
noted Sheriff Randy Maxwell. “They’re attempting to find dry land
and they could dart out into highway traffic at any moment.”
Update 5/7/11 - 9:20 am
No driving or walking on the levees
The 5th levee district has decreed that all levee traffic must stop at 6:00 pm, Sunday, May 8. No vehicles will be allowed to drive or park on the levees. This will be enforced by the Louisiana National Guard.
As per the Vidalia Police Department, the Vidalia Riverwalk is closed.
News release:
Update 5/6/11 - 2:00 pm
State, local officials meet in Concordia to discuss emergency plans
Officials
from around the state meeting early today (5-6-11) at the Concordia
Parish Courthouse expressed complete confidence in the levee system
and safety of the parishes along the Mississippi River, but agreed
that planning ahead for any possible emergency is a necessary step.
Prior to the meeting, Sheriff Randy Maxwell
said the goal was to be certain that “everything is in place to
ensure public safety and have everyone on the same page.”
The meeting included sheriffs from the river
parishes and other areas of the state, as well as Sheriff Chuck
Mayfield from Adams County, MS. Also attending were representatives
of the Louisiana National Guard, Louisiana State Police, Attorney
General Buddy Caldwell, Dept. of Corrections Secretary James
LeBlanc, Sen. Francis Thompson, Rep. Andy Anders, representatives of
the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness, the Secretary of State’s Office, local police
departments, the Police Jury and Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland.
At the outset, Sheriff Randy Maxwell stressed
the need for accurate information to be disseminated to the public
as the sole way to dispel widely circulating rumors.
Mike Ranatza, executive director of the
Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association (LSA), noted the high degree of
preparedness and working partnerships of the state Unified Command
Group, the Louisiana National Guard, the U.S. Corps of Engineers,
and the 5th District Levee Board.
He said the Unified Command Group will
establish a command center, along with the Concordia Parish
Sheriff’s Office, in Natchez, should the need arise. Maxwell said
that command center would serve all of the river parishes.
Reynold Minsky, president of the 5th District
Levee Board, once again expressed complete confidence in the levee
system.
Minsky pointed out that the levees held fast
during previous flood years and emphasized that he feels they’ll
continue to be structurally sound. He added that any sand boils that
are visible can be repaired, and that teams will be in place to
continue to watch for any “hot spots.” Louisiana National Guardsmen
will be in training today to know what to look for, he added.
Col. Mike Edmonson, superintendent of the
Louisiana State Police, pledged the continued cooperation of the LSP
and advised that its air assets will be available to the sheriffs.
Secretary LeBlanc said the state Department of
Corrections will assist with inmate evacuations “at a moment’s
notice.” He said he too has full faith in the levee system.
Fred Gwin with the Secretary of State’s Office,
emphasized the need for preservation of parish records.
Update 5/6/11 - 10:00 am
The Mississippi river at Natchez/Vidalia is at 53.66, according to the RiverGages.com. The highest level in 2008 was 57.0.
All levees are holding and there are no evacuations.
Please stay off the levees.
Update 5/5/11
- 12:55 pm
Presented by Corps
of Engineer’s Project Manager on 5/5/11 at 11:00 a.m.
Gates at the Old River Structure (south end of Concordia Parish)
are now open.
The National Weather Service forecasts that the projected crest in
Concordia Parish is as follows:
Vidalia Gauge
64’
Acme Gauge
53’
Cocodrie
37’
There is nothing to indicate water over topping the levee at
this point. According to the Corps of Engineers – there is NO place
in Louisiana that has a known area of concern of the levees over
topping.
There is no information to indicate a breach in the levee system at
this point. No levees are in danger; no levees are failing.
The 5th District Levee Board president said that the levee is being
patrolled by the Corps of Engineers, the Levee Board and the
National Guard to watch for any malfunction in the levee. The levee
will continue to be watched after the crest.
The Vidalia Office of the Corps of Engineers may be reached at (318)
336-5226. The Vicksburg District's website, which will be
updated as any changes are announced, is
http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/flood2011/index.aspx
The Mississippi River Crested in 2008 at 57’ at Natchez-Vidalia.
If an area in the parish got wet in 2008, chances are that area will
get wet in 2011.
Rainfall could have an effect on the water situation. The
project manager did say that Mississippi River Commission and the
Corps are discussing opening the Bonnet Carre spillway.
There is no evacuation called at this point!
##########
Update 5/04/2011 5:25 pm
The projected crest has been lowered to 64 feet, one foot lower than predicted earlier.
At 4:00 pm the stage was 52.3 feet. The river is projected to crest at 64 feet on Sunday, May 22nd.
Update 5/04/2011 11:00 am
Some preparations are being made by parish
officials but there is no need for alarm.
These measures are only as a precaution in case of an
evacuation.
There are no evacuations at
this time.
Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office and the
Concordia Communications District are setting up temporary
communications equipment in Natchez but all operations will continue
to be conducted here in Concordia Parish.
The move is only so that emergency responders can be ready in
case of an evacuation.
The equipment and phone lines take several days to prepare so they
are getting started now.
The Concordia Parish Police Jury is moving
heavy equipment to Adams County.
The moving of this equipment could take several days and is
only a precaution.
There is no need for alarm with these moves.
There are still no evacuations.
There are still no levee breaches.
The Corps of Engineers and the Levee Board still maintain
that the levees will hold.
The moving of the equipment by the sheriff’s office and
police jury is the equivalent of a family getting their valuables
together in case of an evacuation.
Many rumors have been floating around the area
over the past few days.
These are only rumors.
When there are facts to be reported the public will be informed.
The Concordia Parish Police Jury, Concordia Parish Sheriff’s
Office, the Code Red system, the mayors’ offices, KFNV, and 95 Country
will keep people informed of the facts.
Parish officials have asked that everyone stay
off the levees. People
who need levee access to move belongings out of low-lying areas
should call the Sheriff’s Office at 318-336-5231 to let them know.
Otherwise, the levees are closed.
The only exception is Highway 15 from Vidalia to Deer Park.
This highway is open at this time but will close Thursday,
May 5, at 9:00 am for approximately two weeks according to the
Louisiana Department of Transportation.
The alternate traffic route will be US 84 to LA 129 to LA
565.
Again, there are no evacuations at this time.
There is no need for panic.
Please do not repeat rumors.
Get the facts.
Here are some other links with information:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Vicksburg District
5/3/2011 - 7:15 pm
On Friday, May 6, the projected river stage is 53.7 feet at Natchez. On Wednesday, May 11, the projected level is 60 feet. The river is expected to crest on Sunday, May 22, at 65 feet (changed from Friday, May 20). See the National Weather Service River Forecast Center for more information.
At this time there have been no evacuations requested. Any mandatory evacuation decisions will be made by the mayors of their respective towns and/or the parish police jury. THERE ARE NO EVACUATIONS REQUESTED AT THIS TIME.
The Corps of Engineers and the 5th Levee District Officials are confident that the levee can protect the area at the predicted levels.
The river will set new height records that are unprecedented. The river levels are certainly a cause for preparedness but not for panic. To prepare for a possible evacuation, each family should pack important papers, pictures, medical needs, prescriptions, etc. Also, it is a good idea to take photos of your major belongings and have those with you.
For more information on preparing for emergencies, visit GetaGamePlan.org
To sign up for weather and flood alerts, click here, fill in your address, name and phone number and select the alerts you wish to receive. Click on submit at the bottom of the page. Verify the information on the next page and check the box that reads, "I have read, understand and agree......" and click the submit button.
This information will be updated at least every 24 hours and more often if new information is released.
Latest News
Sheriff
advises preparation as river rises
After a Tuesday morning (5-3-11) meeting with U.S. Corps of Engineers officials in Vidalia, Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell pointed out that while the rising river is expected to reach the historic 65-ft. level by May 20, there has been absolutely no reported breach in the levee system, nor has there been a call for an evacuation as of this date.
“No one knows what this situation will bring in the days and weeks ahead,” he added, “but federal, state and local officials are working together to stay informed on the day-to-day details and we will keep everyone informed and up-to-date as well.”
Maxwell said that should it be necessary to take steps toward evacuation that Code Red would notify families by phone. Anyone not already subscribing to Code Red may access this system through the CPSO website, www.concordiasheriff.org or call the Sheriff’s Office at 318-336-5231, 757-3162 or 386-2200 or the Communications District at 336-5671.
Links to the U.S. Corps of Engineers’ website will also be provided on the CPSO site, as well as to sites listing the latest information on the river stage.
Maxwell emphasized that the 5th Louisiana Levee District has ordered that there be no traffic on the area levees, although residents outside of the levee system are certainly allowed on the levee in order to move their belongings. For now, these residents may park on the levees, but distance must be allowed for officials to travel and check the levees.
The Sheriff cautioned residents not to believe the many rumors relating to the rising river stage. “There’s a vast number of rumors starting to spread. We are going to only deal with the facts and get these facts out to residents as quickly as possible.”
He noted that anticipating the effects of the rising river is much like South Louisiana citizens preparing for the annual hurricane season. “It makes good sense to have your important personal papers in a safe place. People need to realize too that a fireproof safe for family records is not waterproof, nor is a bank safety deposit box.”
He asked that residents be prepared with plans for their
pets, take an inventory of their homes and personal valuables, and
have their prescriptions filled. “We always hope and pray for the
best, but want to be prepared for any emergency that might arise.”
######
Here are some other links with information:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Vicksburg District
Sex Offender Database