Several rivers across Southeast Louisiana were at elevated levels Friday, and the West Hobolochitto Creek near McNeill was cresting at 20.50 feet at a major stage. Residents in flood prone areas were told to monitor conditions closely as water levels continued to fluctuate throughout the region.
Flash Flood Warning grips Gulf states provided the wider regional context for the flood warning, while the local numbers showed where the water was already highest and where it was still rising.
West Hobolochitto Creek near McNeill
The West Hobolochitto Creek near McNeill was the most urgent reading on Friday because it was already at a major stage and cresting at 20.50 feet. The Jourdan River was also expected to reach major level on Friday, with a current reading of 10.78 feet and a crest forecast at 11 feet.
The Pearl River stood at 16.82 feet and was cresting at a moderate stage. The East Hobolochitto Creek near Caesar was falling at 18.31 feet, which put it at a moderate stage rather than at the same level of rise seen on the West Hobolochitto Creek.
Tchefuncte River near Covington
The Tchefuncte River near Covington was at 24.44 feet on Friday, but it was falling at a minor stage. The Bogue Falaya River at Boston Street was also at a minor stage, with a reading of 9.85 feet.
That mix of crests, falls and different flood stages means the region was not dealing with one uniform pattern. Water levels were moving in different directions at the same time, so residents in flood prone areas had to watch the specific river closest to them rather than treat the situation as one single wave.
For people near the West Hobolochitto Creek, the immediate concern was the major stage at 20.50 feet; for others near the Pearl River, East Hobolochitto Creek, Tchefuncte River and Bogue Falaya River, the practical step was the same: keep tracking local river levels as they shift Friday and after.
