Flooding could continue in St. John
Published 3:19 pm Monday, October 26, 2015
LAPLACE — A Coastal Flood Warning is expected to be extended through Tuesday morning for St. John the Baptist Parish and the surrounding areas.
Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain water levels remain approximately 3.3 feet above normal. With high tide forecasted for midnight tonight, there is a possibility that some street flooding could occur in low-lying areas Monday evening, parish officials said.
Residents are encouraged to park vehicles off roadways.
Public Works crews cleaned culverts and catch basins Monday, picking up tree branches and sweeping roadways to assist with drainage concerns. The wastewater system is currently running at maximum capacity with infiltration and waste overloading the system.
St. John residents are being asked to minimize the amount of discharge placed into the wastewater system in an effort to prevent overflows.
Activities such as washing clothes, running dishwashers, flushing toilets and all other activities that discharge into the collection system should be limited until further notice. Taking showers and baths are not included in the conservation measures.
Above normal tides in both lakes are expected through Tuesday; however, a west flow across the lakes will cause a decrease in water levels Tuesday evening.
Once tides decrease, St. John the Baptist Parish expects street flooding to diminish. Sandbags will be available at 425 Captain G. Bourgeois through 8 p.m. Monday. After 8 p.m., residents can call 504-259-2703 to access sandbags.
