Bonnet Carre’ road closed due to flooding, schools closed today in St. Charles

While areas of Louisiana have gone under water and still threatened, St. Charles Parish has had no substantial damage reported other than the closure of Bonnet Carre’ Spillway Road from flooding.

More rain is expected to return around 10 – 11 a.m. today (March 11) and continue into the evening, said Brandon Touchard, emergency coordinator with the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center (EOC.

The parish has gotten about 1-1/2 inches of rain with this storm front, but more is coming that could pose problems, Touchard said.

Rising waters washed out a section of Bonnet Carre’ Spillway Road, which had recently been repaired and reopened when the spillway was opened to ease rising Mississippi River waters in January. All recreational facilities there also have been closed due to high water.

Parish schools and offices also were closed today due to potential severe weather and flooding. The Arts Awareness Festival scheduled for Saturday also has been cancelled.

Parish offices will be open today.

Area residents are still urged to monitor weather reports and prepare for heavy rain over the next few days. The parish requests residents clear drains and ditches near their residences and report any debris or blocked colverts to the EOC at (985) 783-5050. They should also remove garbage cans and other items that could block drainage ditches.

Public works employees started checking and clearing catch basins throughout the parish to lessen standing water and flooding. Workers have formed two shifts to provide 24-hour coverage of the parish, and their number has been boosted with workers from the parish’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

Public works employees started checking and clearing catch basins throughout the parish to lessen standing water and flooding, Tastet said. Workers have formed two shifts to provide 24-hour coverage of the parish, and their number has been boosted with workers from the parish’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

Sandbag locations throughout the parish are ready for residents in case of flooding.

Parish-wide locations are at East and West bank bridge parks.

By district, the locations include the following:

District I

•    Hackberry Street southwest of the pump station between Gassen Street and Luling Estates Drive

•    Bamboo Street and Plantation Road

•    Pioneer Drive and Settlers Drive

•    King Street behind the school

•    End of River Park Drive

•    School House Road near railroad tracks

•    Boutte Estates at the curve

District II

•    Willowdale Boulevard and East Heather next to the levee

•    Rex Street between Davis Drive and Evelyn Drive east of Pump Station Road

•    Sugarhouse Road and Angus Drive

•    Bernard Avenue near the pump station

•    Ama Grain Field

•    Lakewood Elementary School

District III

•    Red Church Subdivision

•    Ormond Fire House on Ormond Boulevard

District IV

•    Paradis Pump Station at canal boat launch

•    Up the Bayou Road near the pump station

•    Twin Bridge Road and Down the Bayou Road

•    LA 631 (Old Spanish Trail) behind the church

•    LA 306 at Badeaux Lane East

•    Grand Bayou Road and Sunshine Drive

District V

•    Fourth Street

•    Bar None Subdivision

•    Charles Towne Subdivision

•    Fairfield Subdivision

•    I-310 Service Road

•    Oakland Subdivision

•    Preston Hollow and River Road

•    River View

•    Dianne Place

District VI

•    Montz Recreation Park

•    New Sarpy Recreation Park

•    Norco Elementary School and Apple Street

•    Norco Fire Station

District VII

•    George Cousins Road and West Heather Street

•    Valencia Drive and Primrose Drive

•    Primrose Drive West of the Lagatutta pump station between Wade Street and Oak Street

•    Lakewood Elementary School