The Morganza Spillway is swollen, and residents in the area are anxious for the Army Corps of Engineers to open it. If it’s opened, it would be the third time in history.
“It’s crazy, but it’s not really crazy because that’s what it was built for, in my opinion,” said Mike Bennett, who lives in West Feliciana Parish.
He questions why the Army Corps of Engineers has not opened the spillway already.
“I don’t see how they let those levees get that much pressure on them before they open it. They must know more than I know, you know?”
From the Morganza Spillway to Butte La Rose, residents are gearing up for the possibility of flooding. While many residents in Butte La Rose are preparing to protect their property, some say they’re willing to take chances.
“I don’t think it’s going to get high at all this year… not that high,” said John Mitchell, who owns a camp in Butte La Rose.
He says when the spillway was opened in 2011, he and his wife took every precaution at their property.
“Last time, I had a trailer, and we hauled everything out. I’m talking about my freezers, my ice boxes, furniture, everything.”
Others have seen the water slowly creep up over the last few weeks.
“It’s risen about 18 inches. It’s amazing how fast water comes up,” said Jay Voories.
Voories also owns a camp in Butte La Rose. He is watching the weather reports and is being proactive.
“We’re batten down the hatches as you would see fit. You gotta do what you gotta do.”
If the Morganza Spillway is opened, it will be opened slowly over the course of four days.
