PLD May 22 2011 Flood Fight Status

DATE: Sunday, May 22, 2011 TIME 4:00p.m. *Changes are indicated in Red – PLD will report on last seven (7) days including today*

Disclaimer:

Please be advised that the information contained herein has been compiled with information supplied by PLD certified levee inspectors. These inspections are visual inspections only and are not based upon any engineering and/or geotechnical support. The purpose of this report is to provide the respective 6 parish EOCs (EBR, Iberville, Ascension, St. James, St. John the Baptist and St. Charles), parish president(s)/mayor(s), USACE EOC representatives, GOHSEP District/Regional Representatives, CPRA, OCPR, USCG, and other emergency personnel of the State of Louisiana and it is therefore not intended for further distribution.

PHASE 2- FLOOD FIGHT STATUS REPORT East Bank Mississippi River Levee Monitoring 115 miles- East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Ascension, St. James, St. John the Baptist and St. Charles Parishes For add’l updates visit http://www.usace.army.mil specific to “2011 Flood Fight”

LEVEE DISTRICT : Pontchartrain Levee District

PREPARED BY: Jerri Henderson

POCs: Monica Salins, Executive Director Kenneth Steib, Sr., Emergency Coordinator

All Communication numbers :

Monica Salins, Executive Director (c) 504-559-6691 (o) 225-869-9721 Kenneth Steib, Sr., Emergency Coordinator 225-206-0639 Captain Dean Smith, PLD Police Dept. 225-445-3433

Personnel and Agencies Involved: PLD Executive Director PLD Emergency Coordinator PLD Police Department PLD Maintenance Department U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District OCPR LA DOTD GOHSEP (Governor’s Office Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness) 6 Parish EOC’s

Weather Situation :

Sunday, May 22, 2011 Sunny and Hot

Gage Readings at specific locations: (Note: FS= Flood Stage):

Gage at: RRiver Landing (FS 48) Carrollton (FS 17’) BR (FS 35’) D’ville (FS: 27) Reserve (FS 22) Current: 62.6’ 17’ 44.4’ 32.15’ 23.61’ (Gage readings obtained from www.rivergages.com ) 1

* A total of 330 bays have been opened at the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway. This is allowing 316,000 cfs to flow through. A dyke has been created along the grassy shoulder of Airline Highway at the Upper Guide Levee (Montz) for additional freeboard. As reported by Chris Brantley, USACE BCS office, there is seepage along the Upper and Lower Guide Levees along the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway between US Hwy. 61 and Lake Pontchartrain which areas are being monitored daily. A total of seventeen (17) bays are opened at the Morganza Spillway.*

PLD will be monitoring the entire levee system within our jurisdiction 24/7 until further notice.

Condition of FED FCWs and Resources: N/A

Condition of Levee District FCWs and Resources: N/A to this levee district along the 115 miles of MRL

Actions Taken – Including flood fight measures, any and all repairs, supplies (dirt, sandbags, rock, sandboils, P/S seepage observed, scouring, etc…) equipment, pumps.

EAST BATON ROUGE, IBERVILLE, ASCENSION, ST. JAMES, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST AND ST. CHARLES PARISHES

BARGES------INCREASED MONITORING OF FLEETING OPERATIONS IN ALL PARISHES HAVE BEGUN------BARGES ARE TO BE 180’ FROM THE LEVEE CENTERLINE OR 100’ FROM THE ORIGINAL FLOODSIDE LEVEE TOE (WHICH IS UNDER WATER AT THIS TIME) OR WHICHEVER IS GREATER-- CONTACT USCG AT 504-365- 2200 and press “0” (USCG Command Center) TO REPORT ANY BARGES AND/OR SHIPS THAT YOU DEEM IN VIOLATION OF THIS SAFETY PRECAUTION

May 22, 2011 Nothing new to report.

May 21, 2011

L/S 688 to L/S 702 and L/s 708 to L/S 788 “Manchac Bend” (EBR/Iberville Parish Line) Trap Bag operation is complete.

L/S 190+00 (EBR) An additional 350 sandbags were added to the Duncan Point area per Robert Jollisant with USACE. This operation is complete.

L/S 1720+9 (Iberville) Animal burrow on floodside backfilled with displaced material

L/S 1000+00 (Iberville) Animal burrow on floodside backfilled with displaced material

May 20, 2011 L/S 688 to L/S 702 and L/S 708 to L/S 788 “Manchac Bend” (EBR/Iberville Parish line) L/S 708 to L/S 788 – 6,500’ has been completed - 1,550’ remaining

May 19, 2011 L/S 688 to L/S 702 and L/S 708 to L/S 788 “Manchac Bend” (EBR/Iberville Parish line) TrapBag operation for L/S 688 to L/S 702 has been completed – 1,450’ L/S 708 to L/S 788 – 5,000’ has been completed – 3,050’ remaining

DOTD is assisting PLD, USACE, EBR and OCPR and closing River Road at the Farr Park entrance proceeding downriver for approximately 1 mile in the Duncan Point area; Detour signs will be placed at Brightside Lane, Ben Hur Road and Gardere Lane advising of said lane closure; the purpose of this closure is to allow (1) PLD to place additional sandbags placed in the depression within existing sandbag field (2) For EBR DPW specific for monitoring purposes- surveys from the road to water’s edge to be taken along 3 lines as discussed, 3 times a week starting tomorrow and (3) Effluent flow in ditch to be measured as discussed on site this morning. This is a known seepage area, seepage resulting along the protected side of the levee, ditches, shoulders edge and along River Road. As a safety measure with all of the work

2 described herein DOTD chose to close the road. As per the site visit this morning, there is NO question as to the integrity of the MRL system in this area, this is being done to secure additional data during this historical river event.

Iberville Second sand boil at WBRZ Channel 2 Tower; ¾ mile from levee; has been ringed with sandbags and will be monitored daily

Approximate L/S 5000(St. John) Culvert under LA 628 (River Road) has collapsed; USACE is currently evaluating this condition and considering this repair and maintaining levee integrity and safety of the residents; Per USACE, due to the proximity to the levee, the work will be held off until river level recedes to elevation +15

May 18, 2011 L/S 190(EBR) PLD assisted USACE (Robert Jolisant) with the cleaning out of the “veins” to continue water seeping; no new “veins” were created

L/S 688 to L/S 702 and L/S 708 to L/S 788 “Manchac Bend”--- (EBR/Iberville Parish line)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 TrapBag Operation continues; approximately 1400’ filled today

L/S 688-702 L/S 760-788

L/S 1040(Iberville) Animal burrow on floodside was backfilled with displaced material

3 L/S 1525-1529(Iberville) 44 filled supersized sand bags received from EJLD were placed along this section of levee for additional freeboard at Syngenta/Olin; an additional 60 bags will be delivered tomorrow from EJLD; operation at this site completed May 19, 2011

L/S 1700(Iberville) PLD shut down tree digging operation on the landside on the Pearson Property

L/S 3140 (St. James) Barges STILL moored too close to levee slope pavement (Weber Marine permitted in this area)- barges should be 180’ from the centerline of levee or 100’ from original, floodside levee toe (River Mile Marker 167)

May 17, 2011 L/S 150(EBR) Stopped contractor from excavation work at Brightside Lane and River Road

EBR Sand boil at LSU Ag Center approximately 3,000’ from levee; will monitor; (photo taken May 20, 2011)

L/S 1200-12809(Iberville) Six (6) animal burrows were backfilled with displaced material

L/S 1610+3(Iberville) Stopped dozer and excavator work on landside (Kinder Morgan)

L/S 1720-1850(Iberville) Thirteen (13) animal burrows were backfilled with displaced material

L/S 1860-1870(Iberville) Wild animals have uprooted levee near water’s edge; sandbags have been placed at the site

L/S 1890(Iberville) Sand boil at Gillis Long Center; ¾ mile from levee; will monitor

4 Iberville Parish Sand boil at WBRZ Channel 2 Tower; ¾ mile from levee, next to anchor which is approximately 30’ in ground; will monitor. May 18, 2011: Sand boil has been ringed with sand bags and will be monitored daily. (photo taken May 19, 2011)

May 16, 2011 L/S 1795(Iberville) Animal burrow backfilled with displaced material

L/S 3760(St. James) Animal burrow backfilled with displaced material

L/S 4480+5(St. John) Animal burrow backfilled with displaced material

L/S 4780(St. John) Animal burrow backfilled with displaced material

L/S 4780+8(St. John) Animal burrow backfilled with displaced material

L/S 4780+9(St. John) Animal burrow backfilled with displaced material

L/S 4790+3(St. John) Animal burrow backfilled with displaced material

L/S 4790+9(St.John) Two (2) animal burrow backfilled with displaced material

L/S 4820+8(St. John) Animal burrow backfilled with displaced material

L/S 5000+5(St. John) Two (2) animal burrows backfilled with displaced material

L/S 5000+9(St. John) Three (3) animal burrows backfilled with displaced material

L/S 3130(St. James) Approximately 15 barges moored too close to levee (Sunshine Bridge, River Mile Marker 167); contacted USCG

May 15, 2011 L/S 1600 to 1800 (Iberville) – 8 animal burrow holes discovered by PLD Maintenance; holes were backfilled with displaced material

L/S 4800 (St. John the Baptist Parish) – 2 animal burrow holes discovered by PLD Maintenance; holes were backfilled with displaced material

L/S 180 (EBR) Farr Park – Sandboil by ditch has caved in and all other sandboils still flowing. This sandboil is being barricaded off for the safety of the public. This area is being monitored daily by PLD.

PLD has sent St. Mary Parish 2,000 feet of water tubes.

May 14, 2011 A PLD CREW WILL BE WORKING SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011 STRICTLY ON ANIMAL BURROW THROUGHOUT THE SIX PARISH AREA.

L/S 50(EBR) Wells are LSU Nos. 1, 3 and 4 are flowing; will continue to monitor

LS 60(EBR) Sand boil in ditch approximately 3,500’ from levee reported by EBR DPW; PLD will continue to monitor

L/S 180(EBR) Sand boils (4 to 5) approximately 3,000’ from levee; site was investigated by Kenny Steib, Norris Melancon, David Capone and Jed LeBlanc (all PLD), Jim Ferguson, Bryan Harmon and Greg Wiley (EBR DPW); This is a lateral of Elbow Bayou. We will monitor this area daily. (NOTE: Anyone investigating should watch for snakes and mud)

5 L/S 190+5(EBR) Corps called about another possible sandboil at Duncan Point. Jed LeBlanc and David Capone reported to the site and one are is strictly usual seepage (as verified by Corps Eng. on site) and another area was a 4 ft. wide soggy area (where Corps inspector had gotten stuck on the berm on May 13, 2011). Kenny Steib, Sr. and Norris Melancon were called and arrived as Otho Barnes and Darryl Tripp (Corps) arrived. Kenny and Otho discussed the situation and Darryl Tripp contacted Robert Jolisant (Corps Eng.) to the area. Jolisant requested that “Y” trenches be created with a shovel to allow seepage to drain properly.

Iberville Parish – Possible sandboil in area reported by Mr. Floyd Sanchez (Fire Chief) around Crochet Street; David Capone and Jed LeBlanc (PLD) spoke to Mr. Barber; he said that sand boils were on his property; PLD investigated area and found one (1) small sand boil. Due to high water and tall weeds, it was difficult to locate. (This area was reported to PLD and USACE in 2008. Mr. Ell Pilie and Mark Woodward (USACE) accompanied by Monica Salins, Kenneth Steib, Sr., David Capone and other PLD employees, investigated this ‘snake pit’ (30-45 water moccasins surrounding the area) and because it was so far from the levee it was determined in 2008 to not be a threat to the integrity of the MRL). Capone explained this to Mr. Floyd Sanchez and PLD will continue to monitor; he is to call if he any additional concerns .

Needs that may be requested from USACE, LA DOTD or GOHSEP

PLD will seek recommendation where necessary from USACE and OCPR/LA DOTD regarding any issue(s) throughout the six (6) parish area of jurisdiction.

Actions for Next 24 Hours: PLD will continue to monitor the MRL until further notice; no issues to report and/or requests at this time .

Additional Notes to add by PLD:

Because USACE Flood Fight Assessment Team members are extensive and personnel changes, the PLD Emergency Coordinator and PLD Assessment Team has implanted a “FLAG SYSTEM”. This is a system whereby colored flags are placed at the L/S (Levee Station marker) along the crown of the levee, so that any and all new personnel are aware of specific areas previously investigated. The ‘flags’ were placed at the L/S markers in an effort to deter public inquiries at the actual site. GREEN flag indicates: Normal Seepage, ORANGE flag indicates: old wells, any areas of concern, and any areas previously investigated and referenced on previous Flood Fight reports. Below is a listing of the “FLAG SYSTEM” by L/S and Parishes:

St. John the Baptist Parish: Green L/S 4730 Normal Seepage in the ditch area of the front side levee toe (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 4720+5 Normal Seepage in the ditch area of the front side levee toe (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 4680+3 Normal Seepage in the ditch area of the front side levee toe (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 4410-4420 Normal Seepage in the ditch area of the front side levee toe (This area was monitored again today.)

St. James Parish: Green L/S 4150 Normal Seepage in the ditch area of the front side levee toe (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 4060 Normal Seepage in the ditch area of the front side levee toe (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 3770+8 Normal Seepage in cane field on landside of the levee toe (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 3640-3650 Normal Seepage in the ditch area of the front side levee toe (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 3400 Normal seepage in the ditch area of the front side levee toe(This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 3440 Normal Seepage on the landside of the front levee toe (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 3200 Mr. Peter Dufrene’s Farm area on the protected side of River Road (off of the levee) has an old water well that is seeping clear water; this area is monitored every high water and is on the eastern edge as you drive into the farm area. (This area was monitored again today.)

Ascension Parish: Green L/S 2780 Normal Seepage in the ditch area of the front side levee toe. (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 2690 Normal Seepage in the ditch area of the front side levee toe. (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 2600 Normal Seepage in the ditch area of the front side levee toe(This area was monitored again today.)

6 Orange L/S 2560+8 Abandoned well on landside across from the front levee toe (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 2550 Mount Olive Church- old, abandoned water well (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 2460 This is an Oil Rig Site preparation out of the 1500’ zone but PLD has requested that USACE Assessment Team Leader Darryl Tripp check into this- currently they are driving piles needed at this site although again, this is approximately 2500+- from the levee toe. PLD would like to continue monitoring this area and would like clarification from USACE Engineering and Geotech Divisions for this area. PLD continues to monitor daily. (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 2340 BASF Properties: Seepage from a utility culvert at Gate 23. On May 6, 2011 PLD MS Norris Melancon along with John Harris, BASF Security, verified that the seepage was from a defective water valve. The valve has been secured and no more seepage is occurring. PLD continues to monitor daily. (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 2280+9 Abandoned well on non-flood side; this has been flagged and PLD will continue to monitor (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 2250 Abandoned well on landside across railroad tracks; this has been flagged and PLD will continue to monitor (This area was monitored again today.)

Iberville Parish: Orange L/S 1820 Hunt Prison Pasture- old, abandoned water well; area is approximately 30’ to 40’ on the non floodside (protected side) roadway within the pasture. (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 1810+5 Hunt Prison Pasture – old, abandoned water well; on the non floodside (protected side) within the pasture (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 1650 Normal seepage at pipeline along roadside; PLD will continue to monitor (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 1250+5 Abandoned well on non-flood side; this has been flagged and PLD will continue to monitor. (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 1050 Normal Seepage in yard at 1070 Hwy 75 (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 1025 Normal seepage about 423 feet from land side . (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 1010 Abandoned well on non-flood side; this has been flagged and PLD will continue to monitor (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 940-1010 Normal seepage in the ditches along the non floodside (protected side) and even across the roadway in the other ditches running along River Road in this area. (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 930 Seepage in yard on land side; this has been flagged and PLD will continue to monitor (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 930 Abandoned well on land side; this has been flagged and PLD will continue to monitor (This area was monitored again today.)

East Baton Rouge: Orange L/S 610 Two abandoned wells were located; One is approximately 200 feet from the levee toe on the non-flood side and One is approximately 1,800 feet from the levee toe on the non-flood side; these areas have been flagged and PLD will continue to monitor. (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 580 Abandoned well on non-flood side; this has been flagged and PLD will continue to monitor (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 425 Barrel Piezometers in Taylor Pasture; 1 and 4 are flowing; PLD will continue to monitor. (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 320 Richfield Plantation area- normal seepage in this area. (This area was monitored again today.)

Orange L/S 260 Two (2) abandoned wells (1 – 300 yards away from levee, 1 – 900 yards away from levee); area has been flagged and will be monitored daily (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 200 Barrel Piezometers 1, 2 and 4 are flowing; PLD will continue to monitor. Pipes on all piezometers in this area were extended (This area was monitored again today.) 7

Green L/S 185-190 Duncan Point- normal seepage area. This is the same area that 11,500+ sandbags were placed on May 1, 2011 and May 2, 2011 at the request of USACE EOC together with USACE Hired Labor and PLD Maintenance personnel- this area is seeping as designed- water is clear. (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 190+2 Sand boil – ring of sandbags was placed around sand boil, USACE EOC has been contacted and PLD will continue to monitor. (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 190+3 Sand boil –ring of sandbags was placed around sand boil, USACE EOC has been contacted and PLD will continue to monitor. (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 80 Barrel Piezometers 1, 2 and 4 are flowing; PLD will continue to monitor. (This area was monitored again today.)

Green L/S 60+5 Normal Seepage at Bike Path Access Ramp. (This area was monitored again today.)

PLD will continue to closely monitor all flagged areas daily.

Pontchartrain Levee District Maintenance Shop Supplies (at the PLD Shop in Convent, LA) :

Empty Sandbags on Hand as of 5-10-2011 24,000 Empty 1500 lb. Sandbags 25

Filled Sandbags on Hand as of 5-19-2011 9,850 Filled 1500 lb. Sandbags 25

Pontchartrain Levee District Material (at the PLD Shop in Convent, LA) :

Sand 36 yards Limestone 7000 Ton of 610 Grade Material

PLD responded to LDLB with 5,100 filled sand bags.

LDLB requested assistance and PLD responded with 6,000 filled sandbags and 25 1,500’lb filled sandbags on May 12, 2011.

Final Report:

PLD will continue inspections of the East Bank MRL in all 6 parishes and will prepare and submit said reports daily until this event subsides or until further advised. Inspections will continue, as a daily operation of this levee district, under the direction of the Executive Director, PLD Emergency Coordinator and the PLD Police Department with the continued assistance of USACE, OCPR, GOHSEP and 6 parish EOCs.

* Please note that the USACE EOC report distributed each evening refers to “PONT” on Site Report which is specifically the Pontchartrain Sector not specifically the Pontchartrain Levee District. PLD requests that levee stations are provided so that it is clearly identified if it is within the PLD jurisdiction and/or City of Baton Rouge so that we may clearly identify and address any issues that may be our responsibility.

Monica T. Salins, Executive Director

Disclaimer: