Several days of heavy rains passing through St. John the Baptist Parish forced several inches of standing water onto Highway 51 from the marshy area between lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas Wednesday. The high water forced the state Department of Transportation and Development to close the northbound and southbound exit ramps of Interstate 55 at Ruddock Wednesday afternoon. The exits remained closed most of Thursday and reopened Thursday night, according to a DOTD spokesman. Traffic on Highway 51 just before Ruddock was forced to the center of the highway Wednesday afternoon as drivers carefully navigated the watery roadway. (Staff photo by Robin Shannon)