Changes to Some Atchafalaya River Flood

Stages Set for October 10th 2013

On October 10, 2013: Flood stages at four forecast points along the Atchafalaya River will be changed to better reflect flood impacts along the reaches of the river served by these forecast points.

 The National Weather Service will change the river flood criteria at four locations along the Atchafalaya River to better reflect the flood impacts at the following locations: Butte La Rose, Melville, Krotz Springs, and Morgan City. 

At Butte La Rose, the new levels are 17 feet action stage; 20 feet minor flood stage; 25 feet moderate flood stage; and 28 feet for major flood stage. The current levels are: 23 feet action stage; 25 feet flood stage; 27 feet moderate flood stage; and 28 feet major flood stage.

 

Butte La Rose

	New Criteria	Current Criteria
Action Stage	17 Feet	23 Feet
Flood Stage	20 Feet	25 Feet
Moderate Flood Stage	25 Feet	27 Feet
Major Flood Stage	28 Feet	28 Feet

At Melville, the new levels are 33 feet action stage; 34 feet minor flood stage; 45 feet moderate flood stage; and 50 feet for major flood stage. The current criteria are 40 feet action stage; 41 feet minor flood stage; 45 feet moderate flood stage; and 50 feet major flood stage.

Melville

	New Criteria	Current Criteria
Action Stage	33 Feet	40 Feet
Flood Stage	34 Feet	41 Feet
Moderate Flood Stage	45 Feet	45 Feet
Major Flood Stage	50 Feet	50 Feet

At Krotz Springs, the new levels are 28 feet action stage; 29 feet minor flood stage; 40 feet moderate flood stage; and 43 feet for major flood stage. The current criteria are 36 feet action stage; 37 feet minor flood stage; 40 feet moderate flood stage; and 43 feet major flood stage.

Krotz Springs

	New Criteria	Current Criteria
Action Stage	28 Feet	36 Feet
Flood Stage	29 Feet	37 Feet
Moderate Flood Stage	40 Feet	40 Feet
Major Flood Stage	43 Feet	43 Feet

At Morgan City, the new levels are 4 feet action stage; 6 feet minor flood stage; 7 feet moderate flood stage; and 12 feet for major flood stage. 

Morgan City

	New Criteria	Current Criteria
Action Stage	4 Feet	4 Feet
Flood Stage	6 Feet	4 Feet
Moderate Flood Stage	7 Feet	7 Feet
Major Flood Stage	12 Feet	12 Feet

 

These changes in the flood criteria will allow emergency managers in Avoyelles, St. Mary, St. Martin, St. Landry, and Iberia parishes to better serve the communities that would be impacted by flooding. These flood criteria reflect input from the leaders of these parishes, along with first responders, and citizens.

Important: These changes will not affect flood insurance maps or flood insurance rates for these locations. This will only affect the watch and warning criteria at this locations.

If you have any questions, you may contact:

Kenneth Graham
Meteorologist-In-Charge
kenneth.graham@noaa.gov

NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge, LA
62300 Airport Road
Slidell, LA 70460-6243
(985) 649-0429 or (504) 522-7330

or

Andy Patrick
Meteorologist-In-Charge
andy.patrick@noaa.gov

National Weather Service
Lake Charles Weather Forecast Office
500 Airport Boulevard Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 477-5285

 

 

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