Topic starter
14/05/2011 4:27 am
See maps indicating potential flow of water after Morganza spillway is opened | NOLA.com
As Doc pointed out tonight, this hasn't been opened since 1973 - they're assuming all the gates will function. They are a wicket type.
Topic starter
14/05/2011 6:28 pm
Morganza still not opened....1:30PM
Morganza Floodway not expected to open until after 2:30 p.m. today | NOLA.com
It looks like they are hoping against hope for a miracle, but in actuality they are probably weighing with a heavy heart what this opening will do, positively for BR and NOLA, negatively for those in the Spillway zone. While I think opening the Morganza is the necessary thing to do at this point, I don't take any joy in knowing the devastation that will occur in order to save something else. I am glad that this decision wasn't taken lightly or with concern for just one's own livelihood... may the flooding not reach the dire projections in the backwaters and may the levees hold the main artery and cities safe...
Topic starter
14/05/2011 6:48 pm
update
Morganza Spillway to be opened at 3 p.m. | wwltv.com New Orleans
But they are opening only ONE gate today, and ONE more tomorrow.... obviously they can't open a lot at once, or the flood would become a tsunami, but this seems like a drop in the bucket action...
Topic starter
14/05/2011 8:34 pm
update
One gate was opened right at 3 PM.
14/05/2011 9:06 pm
Prayers for the People
Thanks, Judy, for the links and updates. I just looked at the clock two minutes before the scheduled opening and said a prayer for ALL who will be affected by the suffering this will surely bring to their lives.
15/05/2011 2:16 pm
When I first went to work on the boats I made some very close friends Greg and Judy Kern. I introduced them on the MQ when he was a deckhand and she was a beautician. In Dec. of 78 they left the boat and got married and lived in New Roads for a while and then moved to Morganza. Before I got married I used to spend most of my Days off hanging at their place so I know all that back area and the Atchafalaya river basin very well. One of my favorite little towns just happened to be my first name, Melville, is right on the Atchafalya and used to have a ferry right there. I pray that everyone makes it out safe and gets back soon. Picture is me standing on the Levee at the Ferry Landing.
15/05/2011 2:47 pm
By going to WBRZ News 2 Baton Rouge you can get last nights 10pm broadcast streaming which has pretty good up to date coverage and some coverage of yesterdays accident. It also informed me that Krotz Springs and Melville were safe because they were far enough North and had a ring levee.
15/05/2011 9:30 pm
Only the 2nd time the Morganza Spillway as been open to divert flood waters. The spill way was completed in 1954.The spillway was opened in 1973 to divert flood waters because the Old River Control Stucture near St Francisville ,completed in 1963 was in danger of failing during the flood of 1973.