For Immediate Release

Parish President John Young wants to reassure the residents of Jefferson Parish, we are working with our federal, state, and local partners, including the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Eastbank and Westbank Levee Districts, to take every measure necessary to monitor the river level and levee conditions throughout Jefferson Parish, as well as the region.

At this time, Jefferson Parish Levee Districts are inspecting levees every hour, around-the-clock, 7 days-a-week. As of now, there are no serious concerns related to the condition of the levees in Jefferson Parish.

This area is experiencing near historic river levels not seen since 1927. The opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway is expected to relieve some of the anticipated stress on the levee system. Meanwhile, the Corps of Engineers is contemplating opening the Morganza Spillway, which may offer additional relief by lowering water elevation in the Mississippi River.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers advised Jefferson Parish Emergency Management, “Expected conditions are not severe enough to allow for overtopping of the levees, at this time, within Jefferson Parish.”

Response, resources and assets, including Hesco Baskets, sandbags, equipment, and personnel have been staged on both the Eastbank and Westbank of Jefferson Parish.

“Public safety is our top priority. We are monitoring closely the developments of the elevated levels of the Mississippi River throughout the region, and particularly, in Jefferson Parish. We are working with our federal, state and local partners to respond to any issue that may impact public safety,” says Jefferson Parish President John Young.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is prohibiting any activity and/or subsurface work of any kind within 1500 feet of the center line of the Mississippi River levee.

Citizens are urged to call the Jefferson Parish Office of Emergency Management at 349-5360 to report a problem or concern.