ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — While many in Louisiana are preparing for a weekend full of Mardi Gras, some people near the Pearl River are gearing up for possible flooding.
The National Weather Service is predicting that the river will crest at 19 feet, major flood stage on Wednesday.
St. Tammany Parish officials expect flood waters to make several roads inaccessible, the Exit 11 Pearl River Turnaround Closure is already closed off.
Area leaders are also preparing for some structure flooding, but say people shouldn’t panic.
“We’re not expecting what happened in 2016, but of course each and every event is a different event based on other conditions,” said St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper.
Cooper urges residents to continually check with the parish, news and weather officials for the latest updates on the situation.
The Parish has set up two self-serve sandbag sites at 63119 Highway 1090 in Pearl River, and 34783 Grantham College Drive operating after 7 a.m. Thursday and Friday.
Cooper said the sites may be extended to Monday and Tuesday if the need arises.
“We will be available even though it’s a holiday Monday and Tuesday,” Cooper said.
More information about the latest conditions can be found here: http://www.stpgov.org/
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