PRESS RELEASE

St. James Parish to Support Levee District in Preventative Actions

ST. JAMES PARISH (May 13, 2011) - As a precaution, St. James Parish has begun assisting the Lafourche Levee District in securing two locations along the levee on the west bank with sandbags. According to projections received by the National Weather Service River Forecast Office and the United States Army Corp of Engineers, the Moonshine community at highway 3219 and the Vacherie Ferry Ramp to the so-so curve along highway 18, which represent areas of concern due to the low height of the levee in comparison to other areas in the parish. Based off the levee design in St. James, the parish is projecting to have two to five feet of free board water measured from the crest to the top of the levee with protective actions in place.

At this time, residential homes and businesses throughout the parish are not in jeopardy of flooding. Parish officials are working diligently with representatives from the Port of South Louisiana, United States Corp of Engineers, Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, as well as both the Pontchartrain and Lafourche Levee District to ensure the safety of our residents. At this time, residents are allowed to walk on the levee, however motorized vehicles of any kind are not permitted. For questions or more information please contact Melissa Wilkins by phone at 225.562.2336 or by email at Melissa.Wilkins@StJamesLA.com.

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