Jindal pledges assistance as Red River crest predicted to reach historic 36.5 feet
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal offered Bossier officials assistance during a briefing this afternoon at the Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness about the rising Red River and flooding situation in Bossier Parish. The National Weather Service increased the crest of the Red River to 36.5 feet.
Gov. Jindal met with Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington, Bossier City Mayor Lo
Walker, and a host of parish and state leaders June 5 to address the flooding that is impacting families, homeowners and businesses in Bossier Parish. The governor says he will provide the Louisiana National Guard to support as needed, and officials with the BOHSEP have been in preparation for any coordination of such resources.
BOHSEP is also attempting to gather information on any resident in Bossier Parish who has experienced damage to their property from the Red River flooding. The governor mentioned at the today’s briefing for people to document any damage, and local BOHSEP officials stress for residents to photograph or video your damage and retain any receipts pertained to cleanup and restoration. If you’ve experienced any damage to your home, business or property, call 425-5351.
Gov. Jindal also spoke about the team effort of Bossier leadership.
“I want to start by commending everybody,” Gov. Jindal said. “I know you have been working hard and you’ve been at it for several weeks now. Unfortunately, as the Mayor (Walker) was saying, this is not going to be over, even after the crest subsides. The National Weather Service has been telling us we are going to be dealing with high water for several weeks.
“I thank you for communicating so well to the public and letting them know what to expect…even as the numbers (of the Red River crest) have changed.”
Here are additional updates pertaining to the flooding in Bossier Parish:
- The National Weather Service says the Red River will crest at 36.5 feet late Sunday or early Monday. They say it will stay at that level for about two days and then slowly recede, but remain high for weeks. The water level as of 5 p.m. Friday (June 5, 2015) was 35.16 feet, the highest it’s been in 70 years.
- River Bluff subdivision, Cash Point RV Park (to include the Cash Point, the Party Place), Red River South Marina are seeing water in their roadways and property. About 50 RVs and mobile homes in Cash Point and another 25 home in River Bluff have been impacted by the flooding.
- A portion of Arthur Ray Teague Parkway from the Shreveport-Barksdale bridge to Centurylink Center was closed late Thursday (June 4, 2015) night by the Bossier City Police and Fire Department to pump excess water from the east side of the parkway back to the Red River. Earlier that day, the Bossier City Fire Department plugged the culverts on the east side of the parkway as a preventative measure to protect the South Bossier Water Treatment Facility and sustain critical public services and ensure quality of life for the community. That portion of ART will remain closed over the weekend due to the water pumping, not because of water flooding on the parkway.
- La. Department of Transportation and Development closed a short segment of La. 537 in the River Bottoms Thursday and continues to monitor other roadways in the parish.
- The American Red Cross and deputies continue to operate the shelter at Elm Grove Elementary School.
- Sand bags are readily available at the Elm Grove location, as well as the Bossier Parish Highway Department Maintenance Barn and Bossier City Public Service Complex.
- Officials continue to monitor the anticipated backwater flooding as the river rises and reaches its crest. Primary concern remains from the water that will move north from Loggy Bayou through tributaries to about La. Highway 154. Lake Bistineau could see some flooding, particularly on camps and boat houses.
- Bossier patrol deputies continue to monitor parish residents and roadways affected by the rising Red. If you have concerns, don’t hesitate call the Bossier Sheriff’s Office at 318-965-2203 anytime.
