PRESS RELEASE

Mississippi River Update

ST. JAMES PARISH (May 20, 2011) - St. James Parish is still under a Declaration of Emergency status; however the Mississippi River Level has approached the highest level throughout the parish. The river has reached a crest peak of about 33-feet according to the same gage used to measure the levels for the Donaldsonville area in Ascension Parish. The river is expected to remain at the current level for the next 2 weeks with slow signs of decreasing levels through June. For precautionary measures residents will be asked to refrain from driving motorized vehicles of any kind, including golf carts as well as parking at the bottom of the levees along Highways 44 and 18. Residents will continue to see extra patrols along both highways. For more information or questions feel free to contact Melissa Wilkins by email at Melissa.Wilkins@StJamesLA.com or by phone at 225.562.2336.

###