BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – “We’re just stockpiling and preparing for the possibility of a high-water event,” said Assumption Parish OHSEP director, Paul LeBlanc.
Right now, water levels on the Mississippi has Apple Maps issuing flood warnings to people in Baton Rouge. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in a week’s time, the river is expected to be around 40.5 feet, five feet higher than it is right now.
But down in Assumption Parish, it’s a different story.
“It was really high probably last Sunday,” said Chris Black, a local tackle shop owner. “But since Sunday it probably dropped a foot and a half.”
Black is based in Pierre Part. He says since the barge was dropped in Bayou Chene earlier this week water levels have receded. With backwater being stopped by flood prevention efforts, water levels are stable. In some places it’s even below average, making an impact on fishing in the nearby area.
“Everything affects fishing I mean everything,” said Black. “From the high water to the low water.”
“Actually, it helps out on this side because we don’t have the influx of high water,” said Tony Arceneaux, after getting off his boat. Low water levels can concentrate fish into fewer areas, leaving hotspots for fishermen.
Everyone here knows the weather can change quickly. That’s why LeBlanc is still taking measures to ensure people will stay dry if water levels rise.
“So as of right now we’re just preparing,” emphasized LeBlanc. “We haven’t deployed any assets but we’ve got tiger tubes ready to go we’ve got sandbags ready to go and we’re just keeping track of the levels of the bayou and the rivers in Assumption Parish.”
Click here to report a typo. Please include the headline.
Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2025 WAFB. All rights reserved.
