[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro said Mississippi River levels currently pose no threat to St. Bernard: Taffaro addresses concerns about seepage

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro said Mississippi River levels
currently pose no threat to St. Bernard 

Taffaro addresses concerns about seepage 

 

St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr. said he continues to be
in regular contact with officials monitoring and responding to the rising
levels of the Mississippi River. Currently, there is no immediate threat to
St. Bernard although residents are asking questions about seepage.

 

"We are not anticipating any flooding issues due the Mississippi River
levels in St. Bernard Parish," President Taffaro said. "There is a
difference between seepage and leakage. There are several spots along the
river that have seepage, which is just a natural occurrence during peak
water levels and presents no immediate risk, but obviously is monitored.
Leakage, which we have not had in St. Bernard yet, is an active leak in the
levee where water is running through as with a piping effect. Leakage would
be a step more serious, but still not an immediate crisis. With the Bonnet
Carre open and the Morganza opening, our levees are of a height that should
have no issues in this event. Patrols are taking place around the clock and
if any increased risk is identified, the public will be promptly notified."

 

Parish officials are in regular update meetings with multiple agencies
including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Governor's Office of
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Lake Borgne Basin Levee
District, as well as several area river districts.

St. Bernard Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness officials
stress that people must stay off the levees. Driving, especially driving
four-wheelers, degrades the levees. Unauthorized people will be arrested if
they are found on the levee. 


 

For more information, call the St. Bernard Office of Homeland Security and
Emergency Preparedness at 504-278-4267 or 504-278-4268.

 

###