Southeast Louisiana Closes 4 Surge Gates as Bertha Drives Forecast Waters Near 5 Feet
Updated
Updated · FOX 8 Local First · Jul 21
Southeast Louisiana Closes 4 Surge Gates as Bertha Drives Forecast Waters Near 5 Feet
3 articles · Updated · FOX 8 Local First · Jul 21
Summary
Four surge barrier gates, including the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal-Lake Borgne barrier, were set to close at 5 p.m. Tuesday as Tropical Storm Bertha approached southeast Louisiana.
Forecast surge levels nearing 5 feet triggered the closures, and flood authority officials said boaters would lose access through Bayou Bienvenue, Bayou Dupre and Caernarvon once the gates shut.
Plaquemines Parish officials also watched low-lying roads near Venice and along a 2- to 3-mile stretch of Louisiana 39, reinforcing levees and warning residents to prepare for possible outages and flooding.
Along the Mississippi Coast, Hancock County expected 2 to 4 feet of storm surge south of Interstate 10, while emergency officials urged residents to seek help before winds reach 35 mph.
On Grand Isle, the International Tarpon Rodeo delayed pavilion events until 5 p.m. Thursday but still plans to proceed through Saturday, reflecting expectations that Bertha will be more of a rain event than a severe levee test.