SLFPA-W Begins To Close Non-Essential Floodgates In Preparation For Hurricane Zeta

MARRERO, La. (Oct. 27) – The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – West (SLFPA-W) has begun closing non-essential floodgates and continues to carefully monitor Hurricane Zeta in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) began a partial activation this morning at 6 a.m. SLFPA-W will transition to a full activation at 6 a.m. Wednesday, October 28, and will remain active for the duration of this event.

Hurricane Zeta threatens the jurisdictional area of SLFPA-W as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm is forecast to make landfall on Wednesday afternoon and Southeast Louisiana is currently under both Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches.

Below is a summary of the floodgate status throughout the SLFPA-W system.

For location and status of floodgates please visit our website at: http://slfpaw.org/floodgate-summary/

Operations

• SLFPA-W staff has begun closing non-essential gates and valves throughout the system.
• Closure of the remaining land based gates will depend on forecast track and timing.
• SLFPA-W is monitoring water levels for possible closure the sector gates along navigable waterways.
• SLFPA-W is in communication with businesses that will be impacted by gate closures and will make every effort to minimize business interruptions.
• All pump stations are functioning at 100%.
• All gates on the Mississippi River Levee will remain open (1 permanently closed).
• Coordination calls are ongoing with NWS, USACE, USCG, GOHSEP, CPRA NOLA and JP officials.
• Text messages are being sent to the public and mariners to notify them of closures.
• SLFPA-W will have a liaison from USACE embedded in our EOC beginning Wednesday morning.

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