(The Center Square) – Louisiana officials are moving forward on several major flood protection projects as the state prepares for hurricane season and addresses long-term flood risks.
Col. Cullen Jones is the commander and district engineer of the New Orleans District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He told lawmakers that home elevation work is ramping up across southwest Louisiana.
“We’ve just got four more design packages, one of which is ready for construction,” Jones said.
Jones also pointed to the recently authorized $5.9 billion flood risk management project in St. Tammany Parish, which will include an 18.5-mile levee system and protect about 6,000 structures and 60,000 residents. Three additional projects — in the Upper Barataria Basin, West Bank and City Park area — are in or nearing the design phase.
“These projects represent major federal and state investment to protect one of the most important regions in the country,” Jones said.
Jones also addressed recent flood threats. For five months, Louisiana has been in some form of “flood fight” due to high water on the Mississippi River. At one point, water levels nearly triggered the opening of the Bonnet Carré Spillway.
“We were ready,” Jones said, praising coordination among the state, CPRA, levee districts and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Jones reported no major concerns along the 937 miles of Mississippi River levees and credited federal and local agencies for keeping the system in good shape.
Looking to hurricane season, Jones said all 17 pumps at the permanent canal closures are fully operational after long-term corrosion repairs. A final wet test was conducted in May at the London Avenue Canal.
Only seven Mississippi River levee projects remain unfinished — down from 22 when Jones joined the New Orleans District. The state has partnered with the Corps’ Vicksburg District to accelerate $108 million in additional levee work.
New funding is also on the way. Louisiana will receive $485 million for flood protection, including $2.8 million for levee lift studies, $7.7 million for the Morganza-Gulf project, and $177 million for deepening the Mississippi River Ship Channel.
