The Potential For Flood Vs. The Strength of Morgan City

Growing up in a small town meant that we spent our time using our imagination and creating a fun environment to be in. And when hard times come around, there’s a loving community to lean on and to give support to.

The potential of Flood for the area ranks in this category of hard times…or maybe even hardest times. The city has been hard at work trying to protect themselves from the potential of high waters and flood damage as water continues to drain from the Mississippi into the Atchafalaya and as of yesterday into the Morganza Spillway in an effort to save larger cities of Louisiana such as Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

While in town on Friday of last week, I took some time to document the city. Please note that this was prior to the Spillways’ opening and we have longer to wait until the water really reaches its crest.

The idea of my home being damaged by the waters is devastating and I know that our family is not alone. There are thousands of others in the same position and I hope that together, our prayers and the City’s attempts for protection will withstand the waters.

So, the idea was to open the Morganza Spillway in addition to the Bonnet Carre. This prevents flooding of New Orleans but unfortunately it also places Morgan City in danger of receiving more water than it can handle.

What I didn’t know and how it was explained to me was that one of the major fears for the city is flooding through Lake Palourde. So, in addition to the concern on the actual Sea Wall side, there is also the concern of flooding through the backend. As the water travels down there is a hook or bend in the river as you can see in the map above right near Cutoff Island. If the overflow of water begins traveling back up through Amelia and into Lake Palourde, Morgan City may see the water come through Lakeside subdivision.

This was Morgan City as of Friday, May 13th. The water was already pretty high along the Sea wall.

….And you have to love how the City is STILL having fun enjoying Rhthyms on the River, a weekly event of music and dancing downtown.

The Wharf in the image above is already almost under water; the image below is the “C-Wall”…the divider between the rising waters and the downtown part of Morgan City.

Before the Spillway opened, the water was already approximately 1′ below the concrete pavement along the water on Lake Palourde.

This is the divider between Lake Palourde and the canal in Morgan City that runs behind Walnut Street. As of this weekend, it was closed to keep water out of this drainage canal for the subdivision.

As you can see, the sand is lining the levee of Justa Street and the walking trail.

The levee unfortunately does not have the height of the seawall, and so the National Guard was sent in to build these temporary sand barriers to prevent flooding from the Lake.

As the situation worsens, and fear increases, my thoughts and prayers are with the residents of Morgan City and the surrounding areas such as Stephensville. There are many families, businesses, and homes in danger. I encourage your prayers and support for the people of this area.

For more detailed information you can follow Morgan City on Facebook or visit the US Army Corp of Engineers website.

Live Simply, Love Freely,

Catherine

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